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Unlucky Van der Vaart out for some six weeks

08 September: Ajax.nl has confirmed that defender Andrei Ostrovski's kick against Rafaël van der Vaart's knee, during Holland's Euro 2004 qualifier against Belarus (3-0), will keep the Ajacied sidelined for an estimated six weeks.

Rafael van der Vaart being treated during Holland's game v Belarus. [Photo: Ajax.nl]

Ajax' 19 year-old 'number ten' and topscorer was brought on by coach Dick Advocaat in the 70th minute of The Netherlands vs Belarus in Eindhoven, replacing Edgar Davids, for his first Oranje appearance in a non-friendly game. Van der Vaart set up the attack from which Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink lifted the score to 3-0 (73), but had to be substituted again after having spent only 13 minutes on the pitch, after he was 'sandwiched' by two Belarus defenders, of whom Ostrovski hit his left knee.

A so-called MRI scan in hospital, the next day, showed that the inner cartilage of his left knee is damaged. Further examination on Monday will have to make clear whether surgery is required. For now, this does not seem to be the case, but Van der Vaart is expected to be ruled out for approximately six weeks. The games he will miss include three out of Ajax' six games in the first round of the Champions League and the Eredivisie away game at Feyenoord, on 06 October.

A personal tragedy for the young Heemskerk native, who missed the large part of the second half of last season, due to a similar injury for which he underwent surgery twice. One should note that the knee concerned was his right knee back then. This time it's his left.

Nevertheless, it seems like Rafaël van der Vaart can be added to the category of Ajax greats whose careers were continuous battles against injuries. Marco van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp and Jari Litmanen, to name but a few living legends, are the most famous examples of Ajax 'artists' whose toughest opponents were their own joints.

Coach Ronald Koeman, meanwhile, has two offensive alternatives for the crucial 'number ten' position in the team: South-African supertalent Steven Pienaar and, of course, Jari Litmanen. Replacing Van der Vaart in case of injuries was one of the reasons to invite the 31 year-old Finn 'back home' to Amsterdam. (MP)

(Source: Ajax.nl)