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Match Report: Ajax claim long-overdue victory at Gelredome

"I'm happy that Ajax finally won a match in the Gelredome, where they've never won one (before)," stated Koeman at the post-game press conference. "But we didn't perform very well. We still haven't played as well as we did in the preparation games." A true statement, but it didn't explain why Ajax has performed so inconsistently since the start of the season.

After uneven matches against PSV (in the Supercup) and Utrecht, Ajax once again played a weak match and an especially weak first half. After only sixteen minutes, Mathew Amoah was able to stroll through the Ajax defense, leaving Stekelenburg no chance. Both Cristian Chivu and John O'Brien misjudged the fast counter attack which had started all the way back at Vitesse's goalie Jevric.

Is stage fright causing Ajax to perform so poorly in the first half of matches this season? Are the high expectations putting too much pressure on the team? This Ajax is a mere shadow of the team that played so sparklingly in the preparation matches. The only similarity is that Ajax is still winning. Against Vitesse, Ajax again secured their victory late in the second half, after having been down 1-0.

Ajax started the match in an unlikely 4-4-2 line up. In prior interviews, Koeman had said that he would use this defensive system in tough matches. And the statistics in the Gelredome suggested that this wouldn't be an easy one. The defensive style was emphasized by the selections of Maxwell and Tomas Galásek for the left and right side of midfield, over Wamberto and Andy van der Meyde.

Not to mention Victor Sikora. Where was he? The new purchase wasn't even in the stadium, but was left at home in Amsterdam. Koeman emphasized that this had nothing to do with any threat against the ex-Vitesse player by Vitesse supporters, despite rumours to the contrary. Sikora had been sick all last week, and Koeman also indicated that Sikora hasn't been playing too well since his move to Ajax.

Without real wingers, Ajax lacked attacking ideas. Much of the game took place in midfield, and Ajax wasn't even able to get into Vitesse's penalty box. All combinations ended well before the Vitesse goal. At the other end, Vitesse seemed to have a much better plan in counter attacking. With quick combinations, they easily cut through the Ajax defense, creating some huge chances and hitting the post twice.

No wonder Ajax had to score both its goals from dead ball situations. First it was a corner and a huge mistake by the Vitesse goalie that handed Ajax the equalizer. Jevric let the ball slip through his hands, allowing Ajax defender Petri Pasanen to take advantage of the error. Later, Ajax needed a free kick to score. But what a free kick! From more than 30 meters, Chivu fired beautifully into the upper ninety. A marvellous goal and a bright spot in an otherwise mediocre match.

Next Thursday will be the draw for the Champions League. In that competition, Ajax will have to play much better than they have in the last two weeks. Otherwise, this European tour will once again be a short one. (BV)

GOALS

• 16' 1-0 Matthew Amoah
• 51' 1-1 Petri Pasanen
• 77' 1-2 Cristian Chivu

Referee: Van Dijk
Yellow card: Van Halst (Ajax), Hofs, Claessens, Mbamba, Stefanovic (Vitesse)
Attendance: 24,200

Ajax line-up: Stekelenburg, Chivu, O'Brien, Pasanen, Trabelsi, Galásek (Wamberto '55), Maxwell, Pienaar (Van der Meyde '88), Van der Vaart, Mido (Van Halst '74), Zlatan

Vitesse line-up: Jevric, Fränkel, Hofs (Martel '67), Knol, Tim Cornelisse, Claessens (Sone '81), Janssen, Mbamba, Stefanovic, Amoah, Levtsjenko.

Related Links:

• Discussion: Eredivisie Games
• Supershota: Goals (AVI video)
• Ajax.nl: Match Report (in Dutch, with pictures)