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Match Report: Mediocre Ajax wins again

11 January: Real champions also win when they are playing badly. Ajax played badly this Sunday in their home match against RKC Waalwijk but still won, thereby retaining a share of the Eredivisie lead together with Feyenoord. Goals from Machlas (2) and Bergdølmo secured the 3-1 victory for the Amsterdammers.

Ajax started especially poorly against RKC. The pace was too slow and the end passes were too often not reaching the right player. The weakest spot in Ajax was on the right side of defense, in the person of Ferdi Vierklau. The oft-criticized player, who remarkably had been lined up again instead of Johnny Heitinga, played poorly; his passing was dramatically inept.

RKC seemed to notice this weak spot, giving Vierklau all the space he needed to build up every Ajax attack, knowing that he wouldn't be very successful. Vierklau was substituted by Heitinga during half time. The youngster didn't have a great game himself, but with a few beautiful crossing passes created more danger than Vierklau had in the entire first half.

Less remarkable was the return of Nikos Machlas to the starting line-up. As a substitute, he had scored important goals in the previous two matches, against Willem II and Groningen, and he finally was rewarded for his recent good form. Understandable, but also a bit strange because during the winter break Koeman had stated very clearly that he didn't want to change his strikers all the time. Initially, Koeman had choosen Machlas, but since the winter break he has indicated that Zlatan would be his first striker. And now, Machlas again. It will be interesting to see how long he stays with him this time.

For the moment, Machlas is making it easy for Koeman. The Greek, who from the beginning played an unconvincing match, did score two important goals. Just before half-time he opened the scoring when he was launched by a nice pass from Chivu through the RKC defense. Face-to-face with goalie Van Dijk, Machlas reacted self-assuredly and didn't fail (1-0). Fifteen minutes before time he secured the victory by scoring on a beautiful cross from Andy van der Meyde (2-0).

Koeman: "I wanted to substitute Machlas just before he scored the 2-0. We had to create more pace up front. Therefore I chose Ikedia. But again, I have to give compliments to Machlas. Out of the three chances he got, he scored two times. And that's what a striker has to do."

Despite Machlas' two goals it still got dangerous for Ajax in the last stages of the match. Bergdølmo made an expensive error when he kicked the ball into the back of an RKC player. The ball caromed to Goverdarica, who didn't hesitate and lofted the ball over Grim. This was extremely unfortunate for Bergdølmo, who otherwise played a faultless match and was, excepting perhaps Cristian Chivu, the best man on the pitch. He worked hard, was calm in dangerous moments and corrected the many mistakes the Ajax backs made.

Fortunately, he later had a chance to make amends for his own mistake, as he was chosen to take the penalty Ajax was given in the last five minutes of the match, when Van der Meyde was pulled down in the penalty box. Bergdølmo didn't show any signs of stage fright and placed the ball calmly past Van Dijk.

The 3-1 victory was deserved, but Koeman had to admit that it still has to be a lot better. Nevertheless, it was Ajax' fourth victory in a row in the second half of the season, and it looks like as if Koeman has done a great job during the winter break. In winning despite mediocre performances, Ajax is now developing into a real candidate for the title. (BV)

GOALS

• 45' 1-0 Nikos Machlas
• 75' 2-0 Nikos Machlas
• 80' 2-1 Dejan Govedarica
• 88' 3-1 André Bergdølmo (pen)

Referee: Van Hulten
Yellow cards: Lamey, Fuchs (RKC), Galasek (Ajax)
Attendance: 35,207

Ajax line-up: Grim, Vierklau (46' Heitinga), Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler, Galásek, Van der Vaart (65' Mido), O'Brien, Van der Meyde, Machlas (76' Ikedia), Wamberto

RKC line-up: Van Dijk, Lamey, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooij (60' Kolk), Molhoek (78' Van Dinteren), Van Diemen, De Graef, Cornelisse, Hoogendorp (73' Fuchs), Putter

Related Links:

• Discussion: Eredivisie Games
• AVI video: Machlas' goals
• Ajax.nl: Match report (in Dutch, with pictures)