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Match Report: Ajax 4 - De Graafschap 1

Ajax youth rise to occasion

12 November: "One of the goals this year is that the Ajax youth should get more time to play," Adriaanse stated at the beginning of the season. But this noble ambition also carries the risk of unpredictable results. Three days after an embarrassingly performance against Lausanne Sports, the young Ajax now played a solid game, beating De Graafschap 4-1. 17- year old Van der Vaart showed once more what a great talent he is, and substitute Van der Gun again applied for a place in the starting line-up. The 21-year old played an excellent 45 minutes, scoring two times and creating several other chances.

Van der Gun substituted Bergdølmo, who again played an unhappy match. After the quick 1-0 by Wamberto (6') the Norwegian was responsible for the equalizer of De Graafschap. In the 32nd minute he passed the ball carelessly to De Graafschap player Turpijn who could easily put Viscaal in scoring position. His goal in the top corner of the goal was a beauty, but actually De Graafschap's first and only chance of the game.

It wasn't Bergdølmo's only mistake in the game and not his only bad game this season. Adriaanse:"I substituted André because he failed. He did that for a several matches now. I gave him some credit, but that's finished now." Tim de Cler who played again left back seems to have got his credits back. The defender was about to be loaned out to Germinal Beerschot, but since his good performances last games, Ajax delayed his departure till at least the winter break.

With the substitution Ajax played more offensive. Passanen who played in the central defense took over the right back position of Bergdølmo leaving Chivu all alone in the centre. Galásek who played on 'number 10' handed his position over to Van der Gun and played a bit more defensive. But nevertheless the team play style changed from 4-3-3 to an offensive 3-4-3.

This of course carries a risk in the defense, but fortunately for Ajax De Graafschap player Berck Beelenkamp was sent off 5 minutes after the break. In Van der Gun's first real action Berck Beelenkamp saw no other choice than to grab Van der Gun's shoulder to prevent him from scoring. The foul was just outside the penalty area, but the red card helped Ajax anyway making things a lot easier for the Amsterdammers.

Van der Vaart claimed the free kick and nicely curled it just against the bar. This was the sign of an offensive en attracting second half from Ajax. First Ajax got a penalty as Machlas was pulled down by Vreman. Chivu, who failed against Lausanne Sports from 11 meters, now didn't make the same mistake. Chivu: "I was a little bit nervous, but they shouted my name in the stadium, so they helped me with it."

From that time it was Van der Gun-time. Six minutes after the 2-1 he made a beautiful goal bringing back old memories of Dennis Bergkamp to the Ajax crowd. With a simple feint, he cleared the way to the goal for himself, scoring just as simple.

Right after this goal Van der Gun had another chance to score, but his shot went on the bar and in the rebound he just headed over the goal. But in the 81st minute he got his second goal anyway. With a great shot from 20 meters he set the final result on 4-1.

Adriaanse agreed that Van der Gun played an excellent game: "He played very keen, very fast and very offensive." But the choice between him and Galásek for the number 10 position is just a matter of tactics: "If you want to see a number 10 who plays very deep and offensive, then that would be Van der Gun. If you want a multifunctional player then that would be Galásek, who is very good in defending and spreading the play. And he can score goals too."

With the 3 points Ajax had a very good weekend, since almost all their rivals lost some points. Ajax is now officially on 5th place in the standing. This was also one of the goals of Adriaanse at the beginning of the season. The coach has often been criticized for this. But it was a logical consequence of bringing back the Ajax culture: attractive, offensive games with young players. That won't make you champion within a year. But the match against De Graafschap made clear that these youngsters do have a great potential and that Ajax and Adriaanse are definitely on the right way. (BV)

GOALS

• 1-0 Wamberto 6'
• 1-1 Eric Viscaal 32'
• 2-1 Cristian Chivu 58' (penalty)
• 3-1 Cedric van der Gun 64'
• 4-1 Cedric van der Gun 81'

Referee: Van Hulten
Bookings: Frankel, Berck Beelenkamp (red) Meerdink (De Graafschap).
Attendance: 30,000
Ajax line-up: Grim; Bergdølmo (46' Van der Gun), Pasanen, Chivu (63' Sier), De Cler; Winter, Van der Vaart, Galásek, Ikedia (68' Van der Meyde), Machlas, Wamberto.
De Graafschap line-up: Postma (74'Besselink); Bot, Vreman, Berck Beelenkamp, Frankel, Den Turk, Meerdink (56'Nok), Turpijn, Viscaal, Hupkes (80'Valeev), Tumba.