Tired Ajax forced to their knees by Falkirk: 2-1
2 (0) - 1
(0)
Pre-Season Friendly
The Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland
Saturday, 28 July, 2007
After Ajax had manfully fought out a mid-week draw against
Rangers, expectations in Falkirk were that "if we manage to
keep the score respectable, that's O.K.", but the locals were
to be amazed at the resepective performances of their own
heroes (Falkirk FC) and, particularly, Ajax.
An 88th minute winner from one of Falkirk's youngsters, Chris
Mitchell, saw Falkirk surprise the Dutch giants at Westfield on
Saturday. Alright: it was only a pre-season friendly and
Ajax's training camp in Scotland was primarily focused on the
squad's stamina. Training sessions has been heavy and so you
could tell: Ajax were visibly tired.
See exclusive
photos by our guest match reporter, Ian Walker.
>>
It is an explanation, not an excuse. This stumble
at The Falkirk Stadium was poor result, no matter
what.
For such a glamour game, the disappointing 3,378 crowd (which
included precisely 116 Ajax faithful) looked to be treated
to a footballing feast, the attendance being unfavourably
affected by Barcelona and Chelsea also playing glamour matches
within 25 miles of Falkirk.
In a very low-key contest, chances were at a premium, but Henk
ten Cate's side were undone by a lack of fire power and the
Falkirk spirit given by a team that was so well inspired
by manager John Hughes, a great admirer of of Ajax's passing
game. The most distinguished ever guests to Westfield started
the game as their usual selves, keeping control of the ball,
passing forwards only when there was an opportunity to attack.
The crowd was eerily quiet as they watched the Falkirk players
chasing shadows, the lesson in how to control a game
having being passed down from generation to generation in
Amsterdam, this often causing gasps as total control and
accurate short passing gave Ajax the early
advantage.
Gabri controls the ball, against Falkirk. [Photo:
Ajax.nl]
But for all the possession, only an 11th miute free kick caused
any real alarm in the Falkirk defence as they looked to be very
content just to enjoy this passing session. The first Falkirk
shot was registered after 29 minutes when Pedro Moutinho cut
inside before drilling a shot wide from just outside of
Dennis Gentenaar's box. Temperatures rose briefly after 35
minutes when Falkirk's red headed Man of the Match, Liam Craig,
and Gabri clashed in midfield. Both were immediately
yellow carded.
The frustration of the Ajax players was already there to be
seen as Wesley Sneijder and referee Willie Collum clashed
several times, 'discussing' the fact that Falkirk's more
physical style was affecting the Dutchmen's control of the
game. Ajax gradually moved up through the gears when Thomas
Vermaelan wasted a good opportunity in heading straight into
Robert Olejnik's arms, the Austrian keeper being grateful of
the wake up call. Meanwhile, Dennis Rommedahl was making his
presence felt by working well out on the right wing,
controlling passes well and attacking the Falkirk defence,
although much of his effort was wasted as the usual forward
surge nearly always lead to a pass backwards (where was the
striker...?).
Rommedahl did have one chance which he lashed just wide of the
post from close range. The outcome of the final
confrontation of the half was when Falkirk's Graham Barrett
sliced an effort just wide after the Ajax defence, which had
been usually marshalled so well by Jurgen Colin, was well
beaten.
The second half needed to be more of the same, but with a
little more urgency. The first real save of the half came on 52
minutes when Olejnik just about palmed away a fierce drive from
Johnny Heitinga at the near post. The Falkirk faithful were at
last treated to some action from the Ajax supporters when
some chanting broke out to break the almost silent ground, this
causing them to encourage their own players. And it worked!
After 65 minutes, some Ajax-style passing from 'The Bairns'
carved out a glorious opportunity for Liam Craig to stoop low
in the Ajax penalty area and head home: 1-0.
As though stunned into action, Ajax upped the tempo again.
Heitinga, Sneijder and Delorge worked with more urgency in
midfield. Just a minute later, Delorge should have equalized as
he toe-poked the ball through Olinjek's legs, only to lose
control of the ball. Then Sneijder had a dipping volley which
went narrowly over the bar and Mitchell Donald saw a close
range effort well saved by the Falkirk 'keeper. It was only a
matter of time before they got level and this came on 84
minutes. Heitinga found Rommedhal out on the right wing, and
his cushioned pass was brilliantly stroked home by the
impressive Laurent Delorge. The encounter as a whole was
everything but classy, but it must be said: this
goal oozed class!
Mitchell Donald nearly scored. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
The gradual control of the game had been evident for all to
see, except for the abusive Falkirk fan who abused his manager
so much that he was taken from stand and... invited to take
place on the bench! His only suggestion to the Falkirk manager
was to bring on young Chris Mitchell. "He was giving us
stick so we decided to get him down to see if he could coach
any better", said Hughes, who 'obeyed' the supporter
and was amazed in the 88th minute when Mitchell got
possession just outside the Ajax penalty area and watched as
the ball took a decisive deflection off Thomas Vermaelen's
'wrong' foot and looped over the helpless Gentenaar and into
the net: 2-1.
Ecstasy for the Falkirk fans; dismay for the Ajax
fans.
Ajax coach Ten Cate praised the Falkirk players afterwards,
saying that they tried to play more football than Rangers did
in midweek. He said: "Falkirk are a nice football team. They
played better football than Rangers, who were more defensive
and relied on the counter attack. Falkirk are not a
typical British-style side."
The Falkirk boss, John Hughes countered with, "It was only a
friendly but I was pleased with our style of play. We try to
have a Dutch philosophy and pass like Ajax."
A dismal performance and a poor result, but a few positives
came out of this match nonetheless. For starters, the
confident defensive performance of Jurgen Colin, who almost
certainly won himself a contract. Colin manifested himself as a
secure, two-footed defender, who pushed forwards at every
opportunity. Secondly, the bustling forward play of
Mitchell Donald when he came on. He held the ball well and
tried to forge forwards at every opportunity. Another
'plus': the growing confidence of Dennis Rommedahl on the
right wing, although not too much was seen of him attacking the
fullback. Finally: Laurent Delorge had a good one in
midfield.
Ajax had some major stars on show at The Falkirk Stadium, but -
tired as they were - they were undone by the fighting spirit of
the home side. On the journey home, at the airport, the
Ajax players were fairly subdued, but they were still upbeat
enough to sign autographs for their fans. "I'll sweet talk her.
It won't be a problem!" was the comment from one of the fans as
he approached the team's P.A. for permission to speak to the
players. Let's just hope that this sweet-talking is taken
one step further by Henk ten Cate who might need to be ruthless
this season if he is to get the best of his players.
(Ian Walker)
GOALS
- 65' 1-0 Liam Craig
- 84' 1-1 Laurent Delorge
- 88' 2-1 Chris Mitchell
Referee: Collum
Yellow cards: Craig (Falkirk FC), Gabri
(Ajax)
Attendance: 3,378
Ajax line-up: Gentenaar; Colin,
heitinga, Vermaelen; Ogararu, Gabri (60. Delorge), Sneijder
(85. Van der Wiel), Emanuelson; Rommedahl (88. Anita),
Huntelaar (69. Donald), Kennedy (46. Goossens).
Falkirk FC line-up: Olejnik; Ross
(79. Aafjes), Barr, Milne, Scobbie; Cregg, Arfield, Craig,
Barratt (69. Moffat); Moutinho, Higdon (85. Mitchell).
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