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Match Report: Gent 0, Ajax 6

UEFA Cup: Ajax reduces second leg against AA Ghent to a formality

source: ANP
Richard Knopper reacts
to first of his two goals
v. Gent. [source: ANP]
12 September: The first game of Ajax' European campaign of 2000-2001 was remarkable. AA Ghent is not a European top team, but beforehand, Belgium's number three seemed to be an opponent to be taken seriously. But that was before kick-off. By the time of the referee's final whistle, Ajax had reduced the second leg of the UEFA Cup first round to a formality. A superior Amsterdam team smashed the Flemish side to pieces with a stunning 0-6 score.

It would be impossible to sum up all of Ajax' chances. AA Ghent allowed Co Adriaanse's squas to created as many chances as they wanted - and score as many goals as they wanted, too.

In a way, scoring only six goals, was the only thing Ajax did wrong. Shota Arveladze, who seemed to have forgotten how to score, scored the first by pushing a simple, low Grønkjær cross into the net (17), after having missed a huge chance five minutes earlier. Ajax dominated throughout the entire first half. A 0-1 lead would have been somewhat meagre, but Tomas Galásek and Richard Knopper made it 0-2 in a brilliant way: the Czech's pass was marvellous, Richard Knopper's shot past goalie Herpoel equally nice (39).

The victory seemed secured, but Ajax had never expected the total apathy Ghent displayed after the break, allowing Richard Knopper to score his second (69). From that moment, it went really fast and the Belgians saw Ajax make 12 September 2000 one of the worst nights in AA Ghent history. Defender Christensen was made fun of by his fellow Dane Jesper Grønkjær again, and saw Ajax left winger easily make it 0-4 (75). 17 year-old European debutantee Raphael van der Vaart came onto the pitch and made it 0-5 with a superb shot from the edge of the penalty box (82).

And the worst was yet to come for Ghent, as rightback Peeters panicked and provided his goalkeeper a hopeless back-pass, Cedric van der Gun managed to put his foot against: 0-6 (85).

After the final whistle, both teams could hardly believe what had happened. Was it AA Ghent's weakness or Ajax' power that made this UEFA Cup night so extraordinary? Co Adriaanse was very clear about it, calling Ajax' performance "a demonstration of power and skill". Ajax' stylish performance cannot be denied, indeed, no matter how weak Ghent was. With the home game yet to be played, Ajax can already start thinking about its second round opponent. (MP)

Goals

  • 17' 0-1 Shota Arveladze
  • 39' 0-2 Richard Knopper
  • 69' 0-3 Richard Knopper
  • 75' 0-4 Jesper Grønkjær
  • 82' 0-5 Raphael van der Vaart
  • 85' 0-6 Cedric van der Gun
Ajax line-up:
Grim; Vierklau, Chivu, Bergdølmo; Galásek, Witschge, Knopper (75. Van der Gun), Winter; Van der Meyde, Arveladze (71. Van der Vaart), Grønkjær (81. Bobson).

AA Ghent line-up:
Herpoel; Peeters, Christensen, Laamers, Vasov; Borkelmans, Gajser (63. Pedersen), Joly, Schepens; Hossam, Kaklamanos (46. Barka).

Referee: Ansuategui Roca (Spain)
Bookings: Christensen (AA Ghent), Knopper (Ajax)
Attendance: 7,000