0728.html
Match Report: Ajax capture Amsterdam Tournament title with
impressive 3-1 win over 'Reds'
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Amsterdam Arena
Saturday, 28 July 2001 |
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28 July: "An impressive display by the Dutch champions", was
BBC Ceefax' comment on Ajax' 3-1 win over UEFA Cup holders,
Liverpool FC. Apart from the fact that Ajax was last year's
number three of Holland, they were absolutely right. After a
disappointing tournament's opener against AC Milan, the
performance of the Amsterdammers on Saturday was no less than
excellent. Also, the three goals scored were enough to win this
year's Amsterdam Tournament.
Compared to the game against AC Milan, there were only a few
changes in Co Adriaanse's team: Bogdan Lobont got to play his
first full game in Ajax-1 against a professional opponent,
Daniël Cruz replaced John O'Brien and Nikos Machlas took
over the position behind Zlatan, where Shota Arveladze played
against Milan. They all did very well. The team was almost the
same, the tactical formation exactly the same, but the
difference in performance was extreme.
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Abubakari Yakubu struggles with Gregory
Vignal of Liverpool during Saturday's game.
[source: ANP]
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Like last season, it was a delight to see Ajax play on the
night, easily creating chances, peforming fast and accurate
combination play. And yes indeed, there they were: the first
moments on which Zlatan staggered the over 45,000 crowd at the
ArenA, by showing some incredible movements, slipping past the
entire Liverpool defense a few times, while the ball seemed to
be glued to his foot. His left footed shot went wide after he'd
left Henchoz behind, whereas everyone missed his low cross
after a magnificent run along the goal-line, which started at
the corner flag. Playing like this, Zlatan is definitely a
player you're happy to buy a game ticket for.
Strikingly, it was the man directly behind Zlatan, Nikos
Machlas, who repeatedly took advantage of the space the tall
Swede created, although he needed an unlucky slip of the Reds'
Finnish captain Sami Hyypiä in the penalty box, to take to
his heels and push the ball past goalkeeper, Arphexad (34).
Four minutes later, Robbie Fowler needed a bit of luck as well
in fumbling the ball past the Ajax defense on the left hand
side, before furiously firing past Lobont with his right (38).
It was one of the very few moments in the game on which the
Ajax defense looked leaky. It looked reliable throughout the
game, a major improvement compared to the Milan game.
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Jari Litmanen acknowledges the F-Side
fans.
[source: Ajax.NL]
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Fowler's equalizer was a great goal, and 1-1 a fair
half-time score. It was also the score when Jari Litmanen
(pictured right), playing from the start, was replaced by
Michael Owen. Once again, the F-Side provided him with a hero's
reception. Before the game, the Finn had thrown his bouquet of
flowers into the F-Side section in gratitude. He said goodbye
to the Amsterdam crowd as his two all-time favourite teams in
the world, the 'Reds' from Liverpool and Ajax Amsterdam, were
in balance. This changed as soon as he'd left the pitch, as
Andy van der Meyde - playing in convincing style - gave one
more typical Ajax cross from the right and Nikos Machlas
slammed his head against the ball: 2-1 (54), and Ajax needed
one more goal to win the tournament.
The final half hour, in a roaring, almost sold-out ArenA,
showed some marvellous play by Ajax: a fine combination put
Richard Knopper (subbed in for Zlatan) in position, but
Arphexad saved. But Liverpool's counter-attack was dangerous.
Fowler could have scored his second, but Lobont saved
beautifully, stretching and grabbing the ball away from
Fowler's foot. Ajax deserved a third goal. It came five minutes
before referee Haverkort's final whistle, as Maxwell finished a
good run over the left flank with a shot, which Arphexad could
not hold on to. Shota Arveladze gave the last touch (85).
The trophy for the winner of the Amsterdam Tournament is a
huge thing, but it doesn't mean too much. The two games as
such, are more meaningful. Or maybe they aren't. Playing like
they did against AC Milan, Ajax will most definitely be an easy
prey for Celtic. Playing like they did against Liverpool,
there's reason to be optimistic. So what's the conclusion?
Maybe the only right conclusion is that this Ajax team has more
potential than last year's, but that both games were only
friendlies and that we'll just have to wait and see. Ajax fans
have learned not to expect too much too early. One more amateur
sparring-partner to go (Rijnsburgse Boys on Wednesday) before
the real job starts. (MP)
GOALS
- 34' 1-0 Nikos Machlas
- 38' 1-1 Robbie Fowler
- 54' 2-1 Nikos Machlas
- 85' 3-1 Shota Arveladze
Referee: Haverkort
Cards: none
Attendance: t.b.a.
Ajax line-up: Lobont; Cruz, Pasanen, Yakubu, Chivu;
Galásek, Machlas (67. Maxwell), Van der Vaart; Van der
Meyde (77. Wamberto), Ibrahimovic (63. Knopper), Mido (77.
Arveladze).
Liverpool FC line-up: Arphexad; Hencoz, Hyypia, Babbel,
Fowler, Berger, Hamann (64. McAllister), Litmanen (54. Owen),
Barmby (64. Biscan), Diomede (30.Redknapp), Vignal (80.
Traore).
Result of second game: AC Milan - Valencia CF 1-2
Ajax wins Amsterdam Tournament 2001
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