Sonck hits for four in scorching heat at Achilles '12

Wesley Sonck needed a couple of games to get used to Ajax's 4-3-3 formation. In the tropical heat of the eastern town of Hengelo, however, he apparently felt very comfortable indeed: in defeault of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who remained on the bench due to a minor groin injury, the Flemish newcomer played the full ninety minutes and netted four goals in Ajax's 0-9 win over Achilles '12.

Wesley Sonck scored four against Achilles '12. [Photo: Ajax.nl]

Playing against Ajax was something new for SV De Lutte on Tuesday. Achilles '12 did it before. Ajax visited Sportpark 't Wilbert last summer (11 July 2002) and won by 0-11. The amateurs did slightly better this time, although it has to be said that Ajax reached the score of 0-8 even sooner than last year. But this time the Amsterdammers added only one goal in the last half hour, probably due to the tropical temperatures.

Ajax coach Ronald Koeman did not use as many players as in the first two games. Ibrahimovic, Pienaar and Galásek were rested, while Sander Boschker remained on the bench again. Johnny Heitinga was not yet ready for a game, but the defender told Ajax.nl that he expects to make his comeback to the team this week.

Achilles '12 is a considerably stronger amateur side than Blauw-Wit Amsterdam or SV De Lutte. You wouldn't really say so when looking at the final score, but the Ajacieden did find out that the opposition was stronger. In fact, after Wesley Sonck's second minute goal the Hengelo side saw its equalizer disallowed by referee Brouwer.

The most beautiful goals of the day were scored by Maxwell (who finished a nice run through the Achilles penalty area with a lob over the goalkeeper) and Wesley Sneijder, who beuatifully lifted the ball over the keeper again to make it 0-9.

A remarkable moment in the second half was the appearance of Nicolai Mitea, an 18 year-old Romanian who can play as an offensive midfielder or a left winger. Mitea is on a try-out at Ajax and gets the opportunity to win a contract in pre-season. He showed some nice moves on the left, but was obviously not fit enough.

Most attention was, of course, drawn by Wesley Sonck, who added no less than four goals to the three he scored so far. Ronald Koeman: "Sonck is a player who will 'go deep' without the ball. The others are now getting used to that, and he is getting used to Ajax's play. He still needs more pace and he needs to act quicker. But he's very effective with the chances he gets.

"Ibrahimovic is a totally different player. He wants the ball in his foot. I want to see them play together as soon as possible."

The Ajax coach is a very, very satisfied man so far. "The tests show that the players are much fitter now than they were at this point last season. I also see much more ability in their play, even though we're playing with a lot of young lads. Really, nothing disappoints me right now. Everything's positive."

The next opponent is the Koninklijke ('Royal') UD, Hollans's oldest football club (founded 1875), on Thursday night. The question for the average Ajax fan: will there be any newcomers to check out? (MP)

Source: Ajax.nl

GOALS

• 02' 0-1 Wesley Sonck
• 07' 0-2 Nourdin Boukhari
• 22' 0-3 Rafaël van der Vaart
• 27' 0-4 Ruben Jonker (own goal)
• 48' 0-5 Wesley Sonck
• 54' 0-6 Wesley Sonck
• 55' 0-7 Maxwell
• 59' 0-8 Wesley Sonck
• 81' 0-9 Wesley Sneijder

Referee: Brouwer
Cards: none
Atendance: 2,500

Ajax line-up: Lobont (46. Stekelenburg); Trabelsi, De Jong (46. Yakubu), Pasanen (46. Bergdølmo), Maxwell; Obodai (46. Van Damme), Van der Vaart (46. Litmanen), Sneijder; Wamberto (46. Mitea), Sonck, Boukhari (46. Van der Gun).

Achilles '12 line-up: Van de Ende (69. Van Zetten); Velthof (69. Tijhuis), Duman (69. Koel), van Dalen, Jonker, Jhan Jhan, Stamsnieder (69. Blanken), Kleizen (11. Strijker), Van de Berg (69. Mentink), Jiwalal, Demirel.

Related Links:

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