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Match Report: Ajax shows mercy with clueless De Graafschap

After having scored only three goals in the previous four league games, Ajax fans finally saw an opponent getting outplayed by the Amsterdammers. The central forward of choice (Nikos Machlas in this case) was hopeless, but Ajax vs De Graafschap also featured pleasant surprises, such as a superb performance by young Steven Pienaar and a goal by substitute Mido, seconds after he was brought on. The entertaining game finished off Ajax USA in Amsterdam, March 2002, Ajax USA's succesful second trip to Amsterdam.

This game made you wonder how on earth Ajax ever managed to lose two points at De Graafschap earlier this season (1-1). So far, not one opponent played so weak at the ArenA as the Doetinchem side, known for - ironically - its fighting spirit. This time around, De Graafschap did not seriously harass Fred Grim one single time. De Graafschap's one long range shot on goal (by Smit, deep into the second half) was picked up by the Ajax veteran as if it were a back-pass.

Despite De Graafschap's apathetic performance, Ajax does deserve credit for making this an entertaining match. Too often this season, the Amsterdammers played a good first half, followed by a dull second. Against De Graafschap, Koeman's team kept playing for 90 minutes, trying to score extra goals. The only thing the team did wrong, was showing mercy with the Doetinchem 'Super Farmers' and settle for four.

Ajax got to take numerous corner kicks in the first half hour, but the most memorable moments were two long range shots by Wamberto (top of the cross-bar) and Jan van Halst, who picked up a ball bouncing of the referee, saw that goalkeeper Postma was out of position and tried it with a spectacular long range lob, which went just wide.

A goal for Ajax, however, was a matter of time. It came in the 30th minute, as Hatem Trabelsi finished one of his typical rushes along the sideline with a perfect cross, which was stylishly headed home by Steven Pienaar. It was the first Ajax-1 goal for the young South-African, who played a superb game and was voted 'Man Of The Match' by the ArenA crowd. In the remainder of the first half, subtle Pienaar thru-passes put Nikos Machlas face-to-face with Postma twice. On both occasions, the Greek failed miserably.

Machlas only draw attention by diving to the grass on two occasions, in an attempt to win a penalty. An annoying habit, which was succesful last week against Feyenoord, and understandably outraged De Graafschap defender Tim Bakens. After some hostilities between Machlas and Bakens, the Ajacied was booked. Two huge chances missed, two obvious dives and a yellow card... A moral defeat for the Greek striker; a moral victory for Bakens.

The defender, however, was to become the joker of the day. Only seconds into the second half, he decided the game for Ajax. In an attempt to clear a low Steven Pienaar cross from the left flank, Bakens furiously fired high into his own net at the near post (46). An ironically beautiful own goal, and also the knock-out blow for De Graafschap - if they ever were in the game anyway.

Two more open chances were missed by Nikos Machlas, which forced Ronald Koeman to take action. As Ajax won another corner kick, Mido came on. Koeman had heavily criticized the Egyptian (as well as Zlatan Ibrahimovic) earlier this week, for not having the right attitude. The affair seemed to escalate as Mido flew to Egypt for a few days, without permission. Following a private talk with Koeman, Mido was offered a chance as a central forward, the position he wants to claim so badly. The Egyptian ran straight to the dug-out to hug his coach, after he had headed home for Ajax' third (68). It was Mido's very first ball-contact. Good to see that player and coach apparently had a good conversation - and are very much on speaking terms.

Mido continued to do well after his goal, coming close to score a second and sending Wamberto on his way to 4-0 in the last minute of the game, by a subtle flick-on in the crowded De Graafschap penalty box. The Brazilian did not play a particularly good game, but finished calmly (90).

Steven Pienaar, a true 'number ten' in the tradition of Dennis Bergkamp, was a true revelation. However, Koeman's 'striker dilemma' is not solved yet. The Ajax USA travellers saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic getting dismissed from training on Wednesday. The Swede remained on the bench. Nikos Machlas' performance was pathetic and made you wonder whether his important goals at NAC and Willem II were incidents. At this moment, Mido seems the hardest working, most determined striker of the struggling threesome. Who knows he'll finally get the chance as a central forward.

Ajax made no mistake in jumping the final hurdle before the month that is likely to be decisive for the season. It brings Ajax a home game against SC Heerenveen (currently 4th), followed by away games against the current numbers 3 (PSV) and 5 (Vitesse). What a climax in the most exciting Eredivisie season in many years. On this sunny, beautiful afternoon in March, Amsterdam slowly started to believe in it. (MP)

Goals:

• 30' 1-0 Steven Pienaar
• 46' 2-0 Tim Bakens (own goal)
• 68' 3-0 Ahmed 'Mido' Hossam
• 90' 4-0 Wamberto

Referee: Van Egmond
Yellow cards: Van der Meyde, Machlas (Ajax), Fränkel, Bot, Van Leerdam (De Graafschap)
Attendance: 36,282

Ajax line-up: Grim, Trabelsi, Bergd¢lmo, Chivu, O'Brien; Van Halst (60. Galásek), Pienaar, Maxwell; Van der Meyde (67. Ikedia), Machlas (67. Mido), Wamberto.

De Graafschap line-up: Postma; Bot Bakens, Nok, Fränkel; Smit, Meerdink (83. Diakité), Van Leerdam; Van de Haar, Van Vossen (57. Schulp), Turpijn (65. Valeev).

Related Links:

• Discussion: Ajax current form
• Super Shota: Video
• Ajax.nl: Match Report (in Dutch, with pictures)