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'New' Ajax, old problem: leaky defense fatal against St. Etienne

22 July: After demolishing a string of amateur sides in previous encounters Ajax faced their first 'serious' opponents of the season - and lost 5-2 to French First Division team Saint Etienne.

The first twenty minutes were enough to demonstrate that the defensive problems of last year aren't over yet. The French scored four goals in this short period, a scoring rate painfully reminiscent of Ajax's performances against the amateur sides they've faced in recent days.

Knopper (just before half time) and Arveladze (right after the break) brought Ajax some respectibility, but five goals by the French made it a lopsided defeat in the end. Next Saturday, against Belgian first division team Standard Liege, coach Co Adriaanse and his men can show whether this was an exception or the rule for the coming season... (BV)

Source: NOS Teletekst, Ajax.nl

GOALS

• 08'  1-0  Panov
• 11'  2-0  Aloisio
• 15'  3-0  Pape Sarr
• 17'  4-0  Aloisio (penalty)
• 26'  4-1  Richard Knopper
• 50'  4-2  Shota Arveladze
• 68'  5-2  Panov

Referee: Fraise (France)
Cards: none
Attendance: 10,112

Ajax line-up: Lobont; Mokoena (Kanu), Chivu (Piqué), Yakubu, Bergdølmo; O'Brien, Knopper, Galásek; Van der Meyde (Wamberto), Arveladze, Grønkjær (Bobson).