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Ajax.nl Interview: O'Brien - busy with Ajax and Team
USA
Just before the Eredivisie away game
at PSV on 24 March 2002, Ajax.nl published an interview with
John O'Brien about his position in the Ajax squad and his
upcoming World Cup adventure with the U.S. national team. Ajax
USA presents the full Ajax.nl interview, as translated by Menno
Pot.
These are busy times for John
O'Brien. With Ajax, he's running for the Dutch championship,
but after season's end in Holland, it's not over yet for the
American. In May, he'll set off for the World Cup in
Japan/South Korea with the United States national team. A busy
schedule.
John O'Brien missed the first four
games of the season due to an injury. After that, he played in
almost every Ajax game, on several different positions. In the
home game against Sparta he was brought on as a left
midfielder, in Doetinchem he started as a right back against De
Graafschap and sometimes he replaces Richard Knopper as a
central midfielders. In recent games, he's been rock solid as a
left back.
"Sometimes I still feel a bit
strange", O'Brien says, "even though I played as a left back
regularly in youth teams. It also depends on the week, the game
and the opponent. Sometimes I really like playing as a left
back, because on that position I receive the ball in front of
me, not with a man in my back, like in midfield. Therefore, I
can rush forward myself."
 |
| John O'Brien battles with former
teammate Bobson during 0-1 win at NAC Breda in
February. [Photo: Louis van de Vuurst/Ajax.nl] |
"I don't think it's a problem to have
played on so many different positions this season. It was
simply what the team needed. At a certain point, we had three
injured right backs. The coach thought I would be fine on that
position, so he played me there. That way, he didn't have to
shift too many players around. The coach decides who's playing
where and I think the fact that I was in the line-up all the
time is a sign of appreciation. I prefer playing in midfield.
That's what I enjoy the most. But it's more important to play
every game."
The Ajacied briefly analyzes a few
games in which he played on various positions: "Against RKC I
played as a left midfielder. I gave a few passes, and let the
ball circulate a lot. Frankly, I don't really remember who my
opponent was. When playing in defense, left or right, you know
exactly whom you're facing.
"Against NAC I was was playing at
right back, against Kevin Bobson. I know him very well from the
Ajax youth, in which he played as well. I felt a little
unaccustomed at first, because I had to play with my right foot
a lot, whereas I'm actually a left-footer. Things went a lot
better in the second half, in which I felt I really eliminated
my opponent. However, I did not get too many opportunities to
go forward, that was a pity.
"I was playing at left back against
Feyenoord and De Graafschap, for example. That felt more
comfortable, because I got to play with my left foot a lot. I
think it's an advantage for me to be able to play on so many
different positions, although I do expect to end up at the
position where I can show to full advantage."
 |
| John O'Brien in World Cup-qualifier
action against Jamaica, October '01 [Photo:
USsoccer.com] |
There's a few very tough games coming
up for O'Brien and Ajax, such as the away games at PSV and
Vitesse. "Those will be very tough, indeed. I think we won't
get too many scoring chances, so we'll have to convert the ones
we'll get. We're number one, but the pressure is not on our
shoulders. Feyenoord and PSV are doing well in the UEFA Cup,
but we're still at the top of the table", the American says,
smiling.
John O'Brien wants success with Ajax,
but also with the United States national team, during the World
Cup tournament. He was invited for a series of friendly games
that are part of the preparations for the tournament. O'Brien:
"In between the league games against PSV and Vitesse we're
playing an away game against Germany. In April there's a game
against Ireland. Our training camp starts at 01 May. I'll miss
the start of that, because the Dutch league will not be over
yet on that date. By playing friendly games, I stay in touch
with the U.S. team, so I'm kind of thinking about it already.
I'll have to fight for a place in the team. But at this moment,
I'm thinking about Ajax."
(Source: Ajax.nl)
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