Tired Ajax concludes training camp with 'only' six goals against DVS '33

Ajax concluded its week-long training camp De Lutte on Saturday with a final pre-season fixture against an amateur opponent. It was a week of heavy training and a tight schedule of friendly games. And so it showed in the village of Ermelo, where Ajax took on local First Class amateur side DVS '33: temperatures were tropical as Ajax played its slowest and least productive pre-season game so far. The Amsterdammers scored 'only' six times. Newcomer Julien Escudé played his first 45 minutes in the Ajax jersey.

Wesley Sonck opened the scoring for Ajax. [Photo: Louis van de Vuurst/Ajax.nl]

Prior to today, Ajax has taken on its amateur sparring-partners with remarkable intensity, much to coach Ronald Koeman's satisfaction. In Ermelo, however, the team simply seemed to have temporarily run out of fuel. Playing at a low pace, against an opponent that did well and fought for every yard, Ajax created fewer chances than in other games. Also, it must be noted that several Ajacieden - Wesley Sonck in particular - did not have their 'goal scoring day' and missed countless scoring chances. Rafaël van der Vaart was not as effective as usual either: first he wildly slammed an unmissable chance against the cross-bar from close range. Later he even failed to convert a penalty. It was saved by DVS' fine goalkeeper, Remco van Lopik.

The goals Ajax did score were of high quality. Wesley Sonck should have scored more goals, but provided Wamberto and Boukhari with fine assists. Jari Litmanen scored with a stylish, a diving header. Nevertheless, the DVS '33 defense had a remarkably stalwart performance in the scorching heat, even while some of their players were missing and - for the occasion - replaced by players from other amateur sides from the area, such as SDC Putten, Roda '46, VVOG and FC Horst.

Probably the most interesting aspect of the game was the very first Ajax appearance for Julien Escudé. The Frenchman played the first half and stayed in defense most of the time. But the first signs of his qualities were there: Escudé seems to be strong in the air and relaxed when in possession. His passes seem intelligent and accurate, as far as a warm-up game against an amateur opponent can be a serious indication.

Top scorer of the day was Wamberto, who converted two of his many chances. The best goal, easily, was Wesley Sneijder's thundering shot from an estimated 30 yards, which slammed home via the inside of the post. It was a late highlight, towards the end of the game.

Escude makes his debut for Ajax. [Photo: Louis van de Vuurst/Ajax.nl]

After a week of training and playing in De Lutte, it is time to cautiously draw the first conclusions about a few players: firstly, Anthony Obodai (loaned out to 'GBA' last season and on a try-out at Ajax) seems to have had an excellent week. He played well in Ermelo and may well have won a spot in Ajax's A-squad.

Hopes for Cedric van der Gun are not as good. The forward was given remarkably little playing time since the first game at Blauw-Wit and over-all has failed to make an impression; a new career in Ajax-1 seems far away for him. Finally, the training camp seems to have marked the return of Wamberto, who had a dreadful 2002-2003 season due to injuries, but played (and scored) remarkably well this week. As for young Romanian left winger Nicolai Mtea: he seems to be a typical Ajax winger and understands the tactical principles of Ajax's 4-3-3 formation. His crosses, however, were usually inaccurate in Ermelo and require a lot of improvement. It is hard to predict whether he will be offered a contract.

In default of spectacular moments on the pitch, there was plenty of time for the spectators to thumb through the match programme. Some interesting 'did you know?' facts: Ajax coach Ronald Koeman scored a goal for Ajax once at the DVS '33 ground. This was in the summer of 1984, when Ajax played a regional selection from Ermelo and surroundings. Koeman made it 2-3, after the amateurs had embarrassed Ajax by wiping out two Ajax goals. One wonders whether the Ajax coach would remember that goal himself... Another interesting fact: DVS '33 was created in 1933 as a merger of two local clubs: EFC and... Ajax!

Interesting trivia, but more than anything else they show that it is about time for some more serious opposition. This will happen in the upcoming week. Yet another training camp is scheduled, this time in England, where friendly fixtures against two sides playing in Division One are on the agenda: Derby County (on Friday 25 July), but first the once great Nottingham Forest on Wednesday. Ronald Koeman has announced that Ajax will test some 4-4-2 formations in those games, in which strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wesley Sonck will get to play together. (MP)

GOALS

• 13'  0-1  Wesley Sonck
• 23'  0-2  Wamberto
• 36'  0-3  Nourdin Boukhari
• 50'  0-4  Jari Litmanen
• 59'  0-5  Wamberto
• 88'  0-6  Wesley Sneijder

Referee: Mansfeldt-Beck
Cards: none
Attendance: 5,500

Ajax line-up: Boschker (46. Lobont); Trabelsi (46. Heitinga), Escudé (46. Pasanen), Yakubu (46. Bergdolmo), Maxwell (46. Obodai); Galásek, Pienaar (46. Sneijder), Van der Vaart (46. Litmanen [61. Boukhari]); Wamberto, Sonck, Boukhari (46. Mitea; Boukhari later replaced Litmanen, 61.).

DVS '33 line-up first half: Van Lopik; Schepers, Pluim, Prins, Severijn, Koopman, Akiwa, Frederiks, Kaak (substituted 46., but returned to replace Huiskamp, 81.), Grevenhoed, Hartenberg.
DVS '33 line-up second half: Apeldoorn; Van Willigen, Huiskamp (81. Kaak), Van de Hazel, Iesberts, Koraichi, Reinders, Van der Wal, Knol, Hoogenberg, Verhoeve.  

Related Links:

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