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New date found for Amstel Cup semi against PSV
23 March: The Dutch Football Association (KNVB) keeps moving
in mysterious ways. The Amstel Cup semi final between Ajax and
PSV was cancelled for 06 March, as the Dutch Railways announced
its new policy that no football supporters will be transported
by train on weekdays. Now, a new day has been found: a
Wednesday... 10 April, to be precise.
This KNVB announcement marks the end of a month of shifting
and re-scheduling. At the beginning of the season, two fixed
dates were picked for the semi final games of the Amstel Cup:
Wednesday 06 and Thursday 07 March.
However, as the post-quarter final draw brought home games
for both Ajax-1 and the historically over-achieving Young Ajax,
trouble started. KNVB and Amsterdam police did not want two
games on two consecutive days to be played at the Amsterdam
ArenA, especially since both Ajax-1 and Young Ajax were to face
so-called 'high risk' opponents: PSV and FC Utrecht,
respectively.
Young Ajax vs FC Utrecht was re-scheduled to Friday, 29
March, kick-off 20:30 CET, so that Ajax vs PSV could be played
on its original, fixed date: Wednesday, 06 March, during Ajax
USA's trip to Amsterdam.
The Dutch Railways' new policy not to transport football
fans during the week, was the reason why the Ajax USA
travellers ended up with no Amstel Cup semi final at all,
during their stay in Amsterdam. A new date for Ajax vs PSV
depended on the result of PSV's UEFA Cup quarter final tie
against Feyenoord. The reigning Dutch champions were eliminated
in Rotterdam on Wednesday, which means PSV will have no
European duties on 10 April.
Apparently, the Dutch Railways have already changed their
fan transportation policy again. Or maybe it was not such a
strict policy in the first place. Whatever the explanation may
be: Ajax vs PSV will be played on Wednesday, 10 April in the
Amsterdam ArenA. Kick-off 20:30 CET... (MP)
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