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Ajax and Young Ajax in Amstel Cup Semi's: not
"first-ever" achievement
Historic? Absolutely. First
ever? Actually, no.
Amstel Cup Semi Final * Amsterdam
ArenA
Friday 29 March 2002 * 20:30 CET
Young Ajax vs FC Utrecht |
27 March: Young Ajax' achievement is historic, but not
unique. Reaching the semi-finals is the best achievement in the
Dutch national cup since the start of professional football
(1955), since World War Two (1945) or even since 1910. The two
reserves teams that came closest were also Ajax teams: in
1987-1988 and 1994-1995, Ajax-2 was eliminated in the quarter
finals.
However, in the pre-history of Dutch football, from 1908 to
1910, the national cup was won by a second team three times in
a row: HBS-2 won it in 1908, beating another second team
(VOC-2) in the final. Quick-2 then won the cup twice in a row,
in 1909 and 1910. In the 1910 final, another second team was
the opponent: HVV-2.
One should note that the difference between first and second
teams was not too big in those days. The first team was not
necessarily a selection of the best players of a club. Football
was played on an amateur basis only. Clubs had paying members
in those days and many clubs simply divided their members in
teams in the order in which they subscribed. Also, most first
teams of the top clubs of those days, were not interested and
did not participate in the NVB Cup, as the cup was called when
the Dutch Football Association (NVB) was not made 'royal'
('koninklijk') yet.
A domestic cup final between one club's first and second
teams is not unique in Europe. In 1980, Real Madrid faced its
reserves team, playing under the name Castilla, in the final of
the Spanish Cup. Real Madrid won 6-1, against a Castilla team
consisting of future Real legends such as Manuel Sanchis and
Michel.
Even if Young Ajax makes it to the final, it is almost
impossible to qualify for the UEFA Cup. The UEFA allows only
one team per club in its tournaments. The only way Young Ajax
could play in the UEFA Cup, would be if Ajax-1 failed to
qualify for Champions League or UEFA Cup. (MP)
(Source: VI Planet.nl)
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