18 Apr 2007: Ajax - RKC Waalwijk

[Kowalczyk]

Hey - we can still win the 'double', y'know! :yes:

Next Wednesday is KNVB Cup day. Semi-finals. Ajax vs RKC at the ArenA (kick-off 20:45 CET). The other one is AZ vs NAC Breda (to be played on Thursday 19 April).

K.

[Blind3]

Borrowing Philippe's phrase , I hope Ajax can get motivated enough to beat RKC this time around. Can't wait to finally see the lads at the ArenA. Section 118 Row 28 Seat 65 hear I come!

Any thoughts as to what side Ajax will line out ? I think Ajax will line out a strong side, given that winning the league is questionable, while the path to the cup is clear.

Either way, I'm stoked to be able to enjoy two matches, Wed and Sun , that are meaningful.

Amsterdam here I come!

[Kowalczyk]

Of course Ajax will field the strongest possible line-up... I mean: it's the semi-final of the cup.

K.

[Kowalczyk]

31,000 tickets sold, including 1,300 to RKC fans. That's more than I thought it would be. Should be enough for a good atmosphere.

K.

[Van basten]

AJAX-RKC 5-0
Hatrick from KJH and goals by babel and de mul

i have tomorrow's newspaper so.. :D

P.S. I think there's no need to watch the game now :D

[Philippe]

Hey - we can still win the 'double', y'know! :yes:


K.

I wish you were right, but we most likely lost the title when we stupidly failed to beat RKC.
Another must-win game ... just like the CL preliminary round.

So my fear now is for the cup final ... and the play-offs ...

[Philippe]

Of course Ajax will field the strongest possible line-up... I mean: it's the semi-final of the cup.

K.

it seems that Jaap Stam is injuried, isn't he ?

[Dubbel]

Free kick Sneijder for 1-0.

[bluedaddy19]

Free kick Sneijder for 1-0.

geez, he buries a laser from almost 40M and THAT's all the fanfare he gets?!?!?

:D

[bluedaddy19]

1-1 heitinga accidently puts one in our net

[Philippe]

frightening

[Van basten]

tragical half for heitinga. first he gets OG, then he misess 100% chance..
fu*k!

[Van basten]

i hope i see Perez in second half :eusa_pray:

[kraz11]

Come on Ajax

Btw what happens in case of a draw? e.t?

[Dubbel]

Free kick Sneijder for 2-1. ;)

[Cedric]

That's Gabri (rebound)... Thanks Lemmens !

[jamcocteau]

mitea 3-1 ajax - another from a rebound but hey they all count

[K.J. Huntelaar]

It is only one game here?

[Blind3]

:headbang: Happy as f*** to have been there. If my writing gets flowery or very philosophical , please note that I'm sitting in the Bulldog , Leidseplein.

High points:
1. Sitting in 118 so I had 410 ringing in my ears all night. Great stuff.

2. Sneijder's beauty of freebie. I think I witnessed about 20 usual suspect scouts collectively drooling when it went in. Words failed me then as now.

3. Tom de Mul running himself ragged. Lots of creative running, though not all crosses off his runs were putting RKC under pressure. I'd have voted him MOTM but for Gabri .

4. Lots of possession and pressure in half two. First half possession yes , but save for David's awesome volley and the Heitinga golden chance , not as many worrying moments for Jurgen Wevers.

5. Lots of hard work and industry from Gabri. My first chance to see him live. I was impressed .Opportunistic goal .Thoroughly deserving of MOTM.

6. Kenneth Perez. A difference maker .Supporters in my section were very happy for his entrance. I haven't heard buzz like that for a player since Koeman put Rafael van der Vaart on v. PSV two seasons ago or since I heard Peru National Team fans chanting Farfan's name in Lima several years ago. Funny Perez moment at training today. A kid handed him a ball to sign . He said something to the kid and then "bad boy" Perez pretended to kick the ball away. In fact , he heel popped it over his shoulder to himself where, pen ready , he signed the ball...all in one motion . SWEET! He was the last player off the pitch today.

7. Very happy for Mitea. Nicely taken goal. His speed looks good as ever. Talked with him for a few minutes after training today. He was walking with a spring in his step and smiling ear to ear .

Low Points.

1. Johnny's OG was the low point of a defense that seemed to respect RKC too much at times. Too much possession in the first half and occasionally too much room to run.

2. Edgar Davids losing the ball too many times. As I said, gret volley. Also, lots of running and tackling. But, too often he ost possession. Like I lost the " l" in the last sentence.

3, Ryan Babel. Ryan , you need not try to dribble through four guys. I counted five times where he took or multiple players and lost the ball .

4. Is RKC made of paper. I wish I had a euro for every time a RKC player hit the deck.

5. No shots for Huntelaar till , memory serves, minute 32 or 33. Not his strongest night.

I better put this to bed or I'll be talking pictures of the alphabet and dialectic theory.

Hope to see folks Sunday. I'll be in my usual blue 1999-2000 Laudrup by Grolsch Cafe , 1- ish. Cheers. :headbang:

[Jesse]

Nice one! :xyxthumbs:

[Blind3]

One more highlight: hearing that Johan Cruijff's number will be retired . The Babe Ruth of Dutch football ,minus the personal life transgressions , deserves nothing less.

[Dubbel]

Great report blind3, thanks!

[Over Pasanens Head]

Hope to see folks Sunday. I'll be in my usual blue 1999-2000 Laudrup by Grolsch Cafe , 1- ish. Cheers. :headbang:

If you are around earlier some of us will be meeting up for breakfast at 1st Klas at Central Station at about 10.30am

[Kowalczyk]

Match report is up on Ajax USA, guys 'n' dolls!

http://www.ajax-usa.com/matches/m06-07/ ... k-3-1.html

K.

[Blind3]

OPH, Sorry I didn't make breakfast. Was on a plane from Manchester at the time. No, I'm not a closeted Manuraphile, was there for Mixed Martial Arts fighting at the Manchester M.E. N. Arena Saturday night . Many Thanks for the invite. Next time I'm in town I'm buying ; breakfast, drinks, whatever.