Ajax unexpectedly dominate Rotterdam rivals
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Eredivisie
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam
Sunday, 03 Feb 2008
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Ajax - Feyenoord. It's knows as "The Classic" in the Netherlands, and indeed it's one of THE signature match-ups in all of club football. Each team knew a loss would all but end their season. But in this edition of the Classic there were two problems for the team from Rotterdam: One, Ajax were dominant, aggressive, fluid, and played arguably their best football of the season. And two, Feyenoord forgot to show up. They were as poor as Ajax were good, and with slightly more accurate passing into the box, it could have been five or six nil.
Johnny Heitinga played a rock-solid game at the center of the Ajax defense,
and also opened the scoring with a fine goal. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax's intentions were clear from the kick-off. Despite Feyenoord starting with the ball, Ajax had an excellent opportunity to score not more than 13 seconds into the match. Perez and Kennedy charged down the Feyenoord defenders, Perez ended up with the ball and laid off a pass for the in-form Huntelaar only to have ex-Ajacied keeper Timmer superbly save to his left.
It would be the story of the day. For almost the entire 90 minutes Ajax were pressing and pushing Feyenoord in their own half. Each player pounded Feyenoord to the breaking point; the visitors were rarely allowed to settle on the ball. Timmer's goal was continually charged down by Huntelaar and Co, something that was sorely lacking not 4 days earlier against PSV.
Newcomer Thomas Lindgren was instrumental in linking the defense to
midfield, and his cheeky pass to Huntelaar set up the final goal. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
It was no surprise then that by the time Heitinga set Ajax on their way in the 8th minute, with a superb charge into the box, Ajax had already had 2 or 3 chances, and by the time Suarez had missed the sitter of the season in the 30th minute Ajax could have been 3 or 4 up. It was that sort of game.
Not one player can be faulted for not pulling their weight today. Sure there were some frustrations, Kennedy's lack of being able to cross the ball, Suarez misses, but the team actually played as a team today. Kennedy can be forgiven, as his general play was normally good, and Suarez was just Suarez. For every incredible miss or frustration, he is worth his money for his ability to change a game.
Suarez laments after his shocking miss. With the Feyenoord goal at his mercy, and a perfect
square pass at his feet, he managed to put the ball into the stands. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax were hungry and wanted more and this came thanks to more pressure and some poor passing from Feyenoord. After a stint at FC Groningen the returned Lindgren in place for the suspended Davids received the ball passed it to the official man of the match Gabri, who dummied a few defenders and setup a perfect cross for Huntelaar to hang in the air and head home Ajax's seconds minutes before the half ended. The fans were pleased...
The second half continued in the same fashion and despite the stadium filling with red plastic fumes from a burning seat in Vak 410, Ajax continually pushed and probed, but just couldn't find the perfect pass to truly KO the Rotterdammers. The cheery on the icing on the cake would have to wait until the 90th minute when Lindgren chipped a perfect through ball to the always dangerous Huntelaar who then expertly volleyed the ball past the hapless Timmer. The goal showed great vision from Lindgren and KJH's 21st of the season showed why he must stay at the ArenA. It makes you wonder what he could develop into with van Basten at the helm next year. The master and the apprentice...
Man of the Match: Gabri was everywhere in defense, and played a critical role in linking the
Ajax defense to the attack. His perfect cross to Heitinga opened the scoring for Ajax. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax must do whatever it can to hold onto Heitinga and Huntelaar for next season. Alongside Gabri on todays form, these 3 could be the centre pieces for an exciting time next year at the Arena, but the fear is the 2 'H's will depart. But todays game was no time to think of the negatives or player departures. It was Ajax at their best. It proves that there is still a spark in the heart of the team. To have any chance of a shot at the title this year, this must continue, and with games still to play (away) against Roda, Heerenveen, Twente, PSV and Groningen we can only hope that this is form has been found at the right time. (Dan Noppert)
Goals:
- 08' 1-0 Heitinga
- 45' 2-0 Huntelaar
- 90' 3-0 Huntelaar
Referee: van Hulten
Yellow Cards: Lindgren (Ajax); Hofland, Landzaat, Slory (Feyenoord).
Attendance: 49,893
Lineups:
- Ajax line-up: Stekelenburg; Bruno Silva, Heitinga, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Gabri (90. Colin), Lindgren, Perez; Kennedy (76. Luque), Huntelaar, Suárez (46. Rommedahl).
- Feyenoord line-up: Timmer; De Cler, Fer, Greene, Hofland; De Guzman, Hofs, Landzaat; Van Bronckhorst, Makaay, Slory (62. Mols).
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