0810.html

HOME

Match Report:

Ajax 'deserves' 1-0 defeat against Lask Linz

10 August: Ajax lost a "replacement" friendly against Austrian team Lask Linz (1-0). This match was arranged instead of the match against 'eredivisie' club Groningen, which was cancelled by the mayor of Groningen fearing riots like the ones recently in Liege. But Ajax played as if they weren't happy with this match and would rather have had a day off. The team played uninspired and, according to coach Adriaanse, 'deserved to lose' - although the lone goal in the 25th minute came from a dubious penalty. Goalkeeper Lobont couldn't prevent Brenner from scoring from the spot.

Remarkably, Peter Hoekstra played several minutes as a substitude for left winged striker Bobson. At the beginning of this season Hoekstra was told that he has to look for a new club, because Adriaanse didn't want him in his team anymore. Defender Tom Sier, also banned from Adriaanse's major selection, sat on the bench during the match.

Adriaanse: "These players know that I only let them play in an emergency situation." This emergency situation was caused by several injuries. Arveladze and Vierklau were slightly injured and stayed in Amsterdam. Jesper Grønkjær has broken his toe in the match against Arsenal and won't even play the season opener against Fortuna on August 22. More positive news came from Galasek who was fit enough again to play the whole match. Quame Quansah, a 17 year talented player from Ghana, made his official debut with Ajax.

Ajax has now two more friendlies to go before the season starts. August 12 they will play at Coventry City (England), and on August 16 they will play the amateur team of Quick Boys. For that last match, Ajax can't rely on several players. John O'Brien will be with Team USA for their match against Barbados (August 15). And Arveladze, Bergdølmo, Chivu and Lobont will all be with their national teams for WC qualifying matches on or around August 16. Aron Winter has been selected for the World All Star team what will play a benefit match against World and European Champion France on August 16 and will therefore also miss Ajax' last preparation game. (BV)

Line up:
Lobont, Bergdølmo, Chivu, Witschge (67' Van der Gun), De Cler, Galasek, Knopper (80' Quansah), Winter, Van der Meyde, Hosé, Bobson (80' Hoekstra).

(source: ajax.nl)