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Match Report: PSV and Ajax battle to entertaining 1-1 draw

Looking at the 1-1 result, you could argue that Ajax lost two points and saw rivals Feyenoord closing in. However, that would be an unfair analysis of the entertaining top clash in Eindhoven's Philips Stadium. A better way to put it, is that Ajax survived the most serious attack on its league leadership on the remaining Eredivisie schedule, notching a point from Eindhoven and keeping PSV at a seven point distance, with the southern team having a game in hand.

PSV fought a 120+ minute UEFA Cup battle at Feyenoord (1-1), after which the team took a painful knock-out punch from the penalty spot. Ajax had a full week of rest after a very uplifting performance against SC Heerenveen. The Amsterdammers were therefore expected to have a physical and mental advantage.

It turned out differently. In the first twenty minutes of the game, Ajax was overrun by PSV. One corner kick after the other had to be given away, one foul after the other was required to stop PSV's attacks. PSV could have taken an early lead, as a Mark van Bommel shot was touched by John O'Brien. Fred Grim, apparently, expected such a nasty deflection - and saved.

Ajax was gasping for breath in the early stages, but the first time the players had the time to breathe, they were a goal up. Tomás Galásek, replacing slightly injured Steven Pienaar in the line-up, finally showed his fans one of those superb long-range shots for which he was known last season. He picked up the ball after a fine Van der Meyde run, seemed to wait too long, but then left Ronald Waterreus no chance with a mighty left-footed strike: 0-1 (24). At that point, a completely undeserved lead.

Ajax had more control over the game in the remainder of the first half, even though the unlikely lead lasted for only nine minutes. A Hatem Trabelsi foul against Georgian midfielder Gakhokidze turned out to have the maximum impact for Ajax: the Tunisian was booked and faces a suspension for next week's game at Vitesse, and PSV equalized from the following free-kick. Vennegoor of Hesselink headed the long ball back in front of the goal, where André Ooijer was waiting to tip in: 1-1 (35).

Amazingly, Ajax allowed the same thing as in the first half to happen immediately after the half-time break: for twenty minutes, the team was under enormous pressure, being forced to commit loads of fouls. "It seemed like we had played a tough game on Thursday, and not them", was Ronald Koeman's comment after the game, and that was pretty much what it looked like indeed. For over twenty minutes, Ajax almost literally had no ball possession whatsoever. O'Brien, in particular, had trouble stopping a fast Dennis Rommedahl, who was brought on for Ramzi in the first half.

It should be added, however, that despite PSV's dominance, they actually didn't create too many real chances. There were dangerous crosses and a few shots, but Ajax' defense was more in control of the situation than it seemed.

That's why it was so worrying to see Norwegian 'Ice Man' André Bergdølmo walking off the pitch, dragging his leg. It is as yet unknown how serious his injury is. His replacement, Abubakari Yakubu, had a superb defensive performance in the remaining 22 minutes, fearlessly throwing himself in front of a few dangerous-looking shooting attempts.

Koeman's first substitution, at half time, was a surprising one. Maxwell, who'd been playing a good game so far, was replaced by Zlatan, who is apparently on speaking terms with Koeman again. Remarkable: midfield had been the problem in the first half, but the number of midfielders was now voluntarily brought down to two.

However, Zlatan played an important part in providing the Ajax defense some time to breathe in the latter stages of the game. PSV attacked desperately and came close to scoring a few times, but Ajax was the most dangerous team in counter-attack, thanks to Pius Ikedia's speed and Zlatan's ability to stay in possession, amidst two or three defenders, until assistance from midfield had arrived. The Swede could even have scored a blatantly undeserved winner, but shot too hastily.

This draw is a good result for Ajax, not only based on the game itself. By dismantling Sparta (0-5) Feyenoord closed in on Ajax and can even leapfrog the Amsterdammers based on goal-difference, if they win the game they still have in hand. However, with two UEFA Cup ties against Inter Milan and a visit to Eindhoven still coming up, it seems highly unlikely that the Rotterdammers will win all their remaining games.

A few weeks ago, Ajax seemed to have the toughest agenda, but now that the SC Heerenveen and PSV games brought satisfying results, next week's Vitesse game is the only historically tough game left on Ajax' schedule. The finish is in sight - and Ajax is still in the lead. (MP)

Goals:

• 24' 0-1 Tomás Galásek
• 35' 1-1 André Ooijer

Referee: Temmink
Yellow cards: Bergdølmo, Trabelsi (Ajax)
Attendance: 33,000

PSV line-up: Waterreus; Bøgelund, Ooijer, Hofland, Heintze (79. Lucius); Bouma, Van Bommel, Ramzi (37. Rommedahl), Gakhokidze; Bruggink (72. Kezman), Vennegoor of Hesselink.

Ajax line-up: Grim; Trabelsi, Chivu, Bergdølmo (68. Yakubu), O'Brien; Galásek, Van Halst, Maxwell (46. Zlatan); Van der Meyde, Mido, Wamberto (79. Ikedia).

Related Links:

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