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Match Report: RKC's eighteen month unbeaten home record ends against Ajax

After three poor seasons, many Ajax fans are probably a bit reluctant to proclaim it from the housetops, but their team seems to be pretty much unbeatable in the Eredivisie at the moment. Even though the Amsterdammers played a rather mediocre second half, RKC Waalwijk's impressive unbeaten streak in Mandemakers Stadium (23 games in 18 months) was ended as if it were the simplest and most logical thing in the world: 0-2.

RKC Waalwijk is a modest, but feared opponent for every Eredivisie team, especially because of its remarkably prductive striker couple, Rick Hoogendorp and Youri Cornelisse. It is typical for the current form of Ajax that they hardly became dangerous for 90 minutes. Cristian Chivu won almost every duel with Hoogendorp, while no RKC player stood a chance in the air against André Bergdølmo, who returned in the line-up after a neck injury kept him sidelined against NEC.

Yakubu battles with RKC's Petrovic. [source: Louis van de Vuurst/Ajax.nl]

On midfield, Abubakari Yakubu and John O'Brien seem to form a perfect couple, both in defense and in offense: they work hard, play with determination and flair and provide the perfect cover in Rafaël van der Vaart's back. Tomás Galásek was fully fit for this game, but Adriaanse chose for 'JOB'.

The man to show Ajax the way in the first phase of the game was -- there he is again - Rafaël van der Vaart. After his first open chance (after only 30 seconds) had surprised him so much that his attempt hit the outside of the post, his seventh goal in eight league games was there only 13 minutes into the game: an intelligent, beautifully executed shot bowed over goalkeeper Van Dijk's fingers: 0-1.

Ajac could have scored more than just once in the first fifteen minutes of the game. RKC did not show more than a few harmless shooting attempts. However, soon it became clear how important the early goal was. In default of both Zlatan and Mido, Nikos Machlas was fully unable to give RKC's concrete defense a hard time. His performance reminded of the dark days in the recent past, in which Ajax was powerless upfront. This must have been a major disappointment for the Greek, who knows that he will irreversibly slip out of the picture if he doesn't convince now Co Adriaanse needs him.

RKC first put pressure on the Ajax defense in the latter ten minutes of the first half and increased that pressure in the second half. This forced Cristian Chivu to foul Jansen at the cost of a booking, but the offensive brought RKC only two 'semi-chances'. A De Graef shot from the left flank was tipped over the cross-bar by Fred Grim. Rick Hoogendorp missed the opportunity which came closest to a real chance: a volley opportunity from the edge of the penalty box. Fred Grim was not impressed. RKC tried and seemed determined, but Ajax stood tall without remarkable ease and calmness. Allowing an equalizer never seemed an option.

In fact, the best chances in the second half were for Ajax. Andy van der Meyde was sent on his way to the decisive second goal by John O'Brien, but failed face to face with Van Dijk, whereas Rafaël van der Vaart brilliantly tricked two RKC defenders in the right corner, but failed to reach Wamberto for an easy finish. Hatem Trabelsi did a better job in that in the last minute of the game. In a counter-attack over the right wing, the Tunisian provided Mitchell Piqué with a perfect low cross. The left footed midfielder from the Ajax youth was just brought on for Wamberto. It was the first time he touched the ball, but he did it well, pushing it into the upper corner of the net: 0-2 (90).

Including the away win at Celtic FC and the double victory over Apollon Limassol, this was Ajax tenth victory in a row. The Amsterdammers conceded only three goals in those ten games, while scoring 25. Impressive figures. The only concern -- if there is one in the first place -- is the replacement of Mido and of course Zlatan, whose five game suspension Ajax seems to have accepted. The Swede was let out of the squad, whereas a notice of appeal would have allowed him to play. But even the Zlatan case is not a problem for the upcoming UEFA Cup game at FC Copenhagen, for which Zlatan is available -- and his team more than ready. (MP)

GOALS

• 13' 0-1 Rafaël van der Vaart
• 90' 0-2 Mitchell Piqué

Referee: Braamhaar
Yellow cards: Chivu (Ajax), Govedarica, Van Wanrooy (RKC)
Attendance: 6,100

Ajax line-up: Grim; Trabelsi, Bergdølmo, Chivu, De Cler; O'Brien, Yakubu, Van der Vaart; Van der Meyde, Machlas (75. Knopper), Wamberto (89. Piqué).

RKC Waalwijk line-up: Van Dijk; Van Diemen, Nascimento, Govedarica, Van Wanrooy; Van den Berg, Cornelisse (68. Van Loenhout), Petrovic; Janssen (83. Van Dinteren), Hoogendorp, De Graef.

Related Links:

• Discussion: Ajax current form