Ajax opens season with cozy derby

Ajax started the new season with a double-digit victory over amateur side FC Blauw Wit Amsterdam on Saturday. Without the recently departed Cristian Chivu and Andy van der Meyde, but with newcomers Sander Boschker and Wesley Sonck, Ajax scored eleven times without conceding a goal from the amateurs. Sonck scored twice, but had to bow to fellow striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who produced a fine hattrick in the first half.

Wesley Sonck scored twice in his Ajax debut. [Photo: Ajax.nl]

Last year Ajax restored the old tradition of opening the season with an 'Amsterdam city derby' against an amateur side. A year Zeeburgia from Amsterdam-East that had the honour to be Ajax's sparring partner. Now it was FC Blauw Wit Amsterdam from Amsterdam-South. This tradition is probably the result of a co-operation deal that was signed by Ajax as well as eighteen Amsterdam amateur sides in October 2001. It is a 'scouting deal' which makes it easier for Ajax to make use of the young talent at these clubs. In return, these amateur sides get technical and medical advice and several other privileges from their 'big brother'. Both Zeeburgia and FC Blauw Wit Amsterdam are among those eighteen clubs.

But there was another good reason for FC Blauw Wit Amsterdam to invite Ajax for a friendly: the storied club from 'South' celebrated its centenary a year ago, in 2002. The club was founded in 1902 as Victoria, but changed its name to Blauw-Wit five years later. Blauw-Wit played in the Dutch Eredivisie regularly in the early days of professional soccer in The Netherland, from 1954 onwards. Home games were played at the Olympic Stadium, where Blauw-Wit played professional soccer from 1954 to 1966. During that period Blauw-Wit was promoted twice to the Eredivise and relegated just as many times.

In 1972 Blauw-Wit returned to professional soccer as part of FC Amsterdam, a newly founded merger of former professional Amsterdam clubs Blauw-Wit, DWS and De Volewijckers. With the 1982 bankruptcy of FC Amsterdam the professional history of Blauw-Wit cameto a sudden end. After mergers in the past years with several other amateur sides from the western parts of the city Blauw-Wit is now officially called FC Blauw Wit Amsterdam.

According to the club's website the largest defeat they suffered in their long history was a 9-1 to Xerxes in 1946. This Saturday Ajax set a new 'record' by winning in double digits: 11-0. But no one on the friendly home ground of Sportpark Sloten really seemed to mind. The atmosphere was cozy, the weather perfect and the 4,000 spectators had a great time. The rivalry between the clubs from the sixties has vanished, and it is easy to believe that all Blauw-Wit members are now Ajax supporters too.

As usual in pre-season matches, coach Ronald Koeman lined up two different teams in each half. As not everyone was fit enough to play Nigel de Jong and Jelle van Damme had to play the entire match. Newcomers Wesley Sonck and Sander Boschker were presented to the crowd in the second half. By that time Ajax had already taken a 6-0 lead, thanks to a fine hattrick by Zlatan Ibrahimovic (two headers and a explosive shot on goal), two penalties (Jari Litmanen and Wesley Sneijder) and a goal by Cedric Van der Gun, who has returned after being loaned out to Willem II last season.

In the second half it was time for Wesley Sonck to show what he's capable of. He scored two goals. But after the match, the Belgian 'goal machine' stated that he still has to adjust to the way Ajax plays: "I have to learn what it is like to play with two wingers. I've never played like that. But I hope, with good preparation, to get used to it."

Other goals were scored by Rafael Van der Vaart (another penalty and a field goal) and Wamberto, who finally returned after a long injury that kept him sidelined for the entire second half of last season.

It was an enjoyable kick-off of the season. The friendly atmosphere was best typified by a highly remarkable moment in the second half. Blauw-Wit defender Ricardo Broks fouled Wesley Sonck heavily and the referee had no option but to send him off with a red card. However, much to the surprise of the spectators, the 'perpetrator' returned to the pitch a few minutes later to witness the final minutes. No-one really really seemed to mind. (BV)

Goals:

• 14' 0-1 Jari Litmanen (penalty)
• 17' 0-2 Wesley Sneijder (penalty)
• 19' 0-3 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• 23' 0-4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• 33' 0-5 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• 36' 0-6 Cedric van der Gun
• 50' 0-7 Wamberto
• 63' 0-8 Wesley Sonck
• 66' 0-9 Rafael van der Vaart
• 70' 0-10 Wesley Sonck
• 76' 0-11 Rafael van der Vaart (penalty)

Referee: Blom
Red card: Ricardo Broks (FC Blauw Wit Amsterdam)
Attendance: 4,000

Ajax line-up, first half: Lobont; De Jong, Pasanen, Yakubu, Van Damme; Galásek, Litmanen, Sneijder; Van der Gun, Ibrahimovic, Boukhari.
Ajax line-up, second half: Boschker; Trabelsi, De Jong, Bergdølmo, Van Damme; Obodai, Van der Vaart, Maxwell; Pienaar, Sonck, Wamberto.

FC Blauw-Wit Amsterdam line-up, first half: Brouwer; De Vries, Clara, Keta, Middelbeek, Piket, Roozendaal, Dettmer, Veldmeijer, Wilson (34. Weeling), Bond.
FC Blauw-Wit Amsterdam line-up, second half: Kreuter, Ahrouch, Van Guine, Van Neste, Kafana, Piket (61. Blom [88. Roozendaal]), Weeling, Hamochi, Sheriff, Broks (80. Keta), Nasla.  

Related Links:

• Discussion: Pre-Season and Friendly Games
• SuperShota: video highlights
• Ajax.nl: Match report in Dutch and English