Ajax book long overdue win at Utrecht: 0-2

Ajax's last victory in an away game at FC Utrecht was booked on 31 August 1997. It was a win of historic proportions (1-7), but the names of Ajax's goalscorers underscore how long ago it really is: Tijjani Babangida, Ole Tobiasen (2x), Shota Arveladze, Michael Laudrup, Danny Blind and Jari Litmanen. What followed in the six seasons thereafter were one draw and then five defeats in a row at Utrecht's Galgenwaard Stadium, a series referred to in the official match programme as 'The Glorious Five'. In their first Eredivisie match of 2005 Ajax finally broke the spell: 0-2.

It was Ajax's first win at Galgenwaard Stadium in almost 7½ years and also their first win in three fixtures against Utrecht this season. The previous two confrontations in the Amsterdam ArenA ended in a shock defeat of 2-4 (Johan Cruyff Shield) and a frustrating 1-1 draw in the league. To say that it was about time to beat the team from Holland's fourth city in size would be an understatement.

In previous seasons it was Utrecht's fighting spirit and physical power that Ajax were unable to cope with. In today's confrontation Utrecht played physical and aggressive as usual, but there was a highly remarkable difference from previous confrontations: Ajax were even tougher this time. A battling Rafaël van der Vaart, for example, was booked by referee Luinge as early as in the 4th minute for a harsh tackle on former Ajacied Dave van den Bergh. Several Utrecht players required treatment in the first half and another former Ajacied, right winger Darl Douglas, had to be replaced after half an hour. Ajax were never dirty, but visibly determined to remain upright against the traditionally pugnacious hosts this time.

Just like in the last two editions of Utrecht vs Ajax the deadlock remained intact for well over an hour, in spite of the fact that Ajax were mostly in control. The confrontation was in almost perfect balance in the first half. The most noteworthy moments were two cracking long-range shots by Joost Broerse and two 'half chances' for Angelos Charisteas: a low shot (after a good turn by the Greek in the penalty box) and a backward header that went just wide of the top corner. The football was, as usual in this fixture, passionate but almost never good, due to countless fouls.

Sneijder and Charisteas celebrate the opening goal. [Photo: Ajax.nl]

The only phase in which Utrecht were seriously threatening were the last few minutes before the half time break, in which they got to take a series of corner kicks and Stefaan Tanghe had a shooting opportunity from a tight angle, which Hans Vonk saved with his foot.

The most discussed player on the pitch was, of course, Angelos Charisteas, who made his official Eredivisie début for Ajax. The Greek did not score (and did not have a 100% chance to do so), but had a very promising début indeed. The most important reason to be satisfied with the Greek's first league appearance is the fact that he seems to understand what is (tactically) expected from the #9 in the Ajax formation: he was almost constantly moving, dropped back to receive the ball when he had to and had a good eye for his team-mates, either holding on to the ball or (whenever possible) flicking it on with a single touch. Coach Ronald Koeman, after the game: "He played well. He's very strong on the ball and moved at the right moments. He's a typical team player. He makes others play better."

The Ajax boss, by the way, had to do without players such as Steven Pienaar, John O'Brien and Tomás Galásek, and once again fielded Johnny Heitinga as a defensive midfielder and the team captain.

Knowing that PSV had beaten NAC by 4-0 the night before and that a win was a must, the visitors shifted to a higher gear in the second half. It led to Ajax's first real chance of the game in the 52nd minute, as Van der Vaart nodded the ball back to offer Wesley Sneijder an unmarked opportunity to volley from inside the area. His attempt went over the cross-bar.

Ajax improved by the minute and soon was in complete control of the game, pushing Utrecht back in convincing fashion. Julien Escudé's header on a Rosales cross went a few inches wide and Joost Broerse almost beat his own goalkeeper after a dangerous Ajax attack through the middle. The game now entered the critical phase in which the previous two editions were decided in Utrecht's favour. This time the goal was scored by the visitors - and a well-deserved goal it was.

The decisive attack was set up by Charisteas, who dribbled past a few defenders on the edge of the penalty box, coming from the left flank. The Greek tapped it back, Maxwell stepped over it and an onstorming Wesley Sneijder could pick his corner and calmly slot home for his first goal in his city of birth (66'). The eruption of joy of Ajax and their travelling supporters told the whole story: Ajax needed thid in what has statistically been their toughest Eredivisie game in the past five seasons.

Charisteas played well in his official Ajax debut. [Photo: Ajax.nl]

The only danger the hosts managed to create in the remaining 24 minutes came from a few corner kicks, but Zdenek Grygera, Julien Escudé and Hans Vonk were cool and utterly reliable, like in the last weeks of 2004.

The only chances in the latter quarter of the game were for Ajax: another low shooting attempt by Charisteas and a Heitinga header that was cleared off the line by Keller, only to be hammered over the cross-bar from close range by Nigel de Jong. The latter had replaced Wesley Sneijder, who limped off the pitch injured immediately after having opened the scoring.

The game was decided by Ryan Babel, who was brought on as left winger and once again made an excellent impression in the 29 minutes he got to play. He won almost every aerial duel, had several impressive runs over the left flank and eventually sealed the win for Ajax by setting himself up on a long kick from Vonk, penetrating the Utrecht defense with the ball at his foot and finishing gracefully: 0-2. A magnificent goal from the youngster, his fifth in only six appearances. So far Babel netted once in every hour of first team action he saw.

Ajax did great business in the Eredivisie in their last game of 2004 - and once again in their first match of 2005: AZ, who shared the top slot of the table with PSV, started with a disappointing draw and are now only three points away. Meanwhile, the chance that Feyenoord will be a serious threat in the remainder of the season became smaller once again: the Rotterdammers suffered a surprising home defeat against Vitesse (1-2) and are now nine points behind.

"It was important to start well," said Ronald Koeman. "Of course: PSV and AZ will have to lose some points, but the fact that we have won over here and broken the spell really gives us confidence." (MP)

GOALS

• 66'  0-1  Wesley Sneijder
• 90'  0-2  Ryan Babel

Referee: Luinge
Yellow cards: Van der Vaart, Grygera (Ajax), Di Tommaso, Keller, Van den Bergh (FC Utrecht) 
Attendance: 22,600

Ajax line-up: Vonk; Trabelsi, Grygera, Escudé, Maxwell; Sneijder (68. De Jong), Heitinga, Van der Vaart; Rosales (90. De Ridder), Charisteas, Mitea (61. Babel).

FC Utrecht line-up: Terol; Cornelisse, Keller, Di Tommaso (75. Rajcomar), Shew-Atjon; Kruys, Tanghe, Broerse; Douglas (30. El Gaaouiri [73. Tiendalli]), Van der Haar, Van den Bergh.

Related Links:

• Discussion: Eredivisie games 2004-2005
• Ajax.nl: Match report in Dutch and English