26 Apr 2009: Ajax - AZ

[Kowalczyk]

Saturday 25 April: SC Heerenveen vs FC Twente.

The next day the new Dutch champions will visit the ArenA... (kick-off: 14.30 CET).

K.

[Kowalczyk]

Shield will not be presented to AZ at the ArenA, reports NOS Teletekst.

AZ want to officially receive it at their own stadium, so they can celebrate that moment with their home crowd. They asked the KNVB if that was okay (even though it's not the official protocol) and it was okay with them.

Okay with me, too...

K.

[martinkohout]

Shield will not be presented to AZ at the ArenA, reports NOS Teletekst.

AZ want to officially receive it at their own stadium, so they can celebrate that moment with their home crowd. They asked the KNVB if that was okay (even though it's not the official protocol) and it was okay with them.

Okay with me, too...

K.

Well, thank goodness for small blessings. And wouldn't it be a thumb in their eye if we actually, you know, beat them?

[Orange14]

Just saw that Herenveen and Twente drew 1-1. I hope we come out strong tomorrow and pick up all three to move into 2nd place.

[SPL]

We are now in a position that we only need to win 1 of the next 2 and then a win v Twente is enough. Twente still have to play AZ !! Lets just win v AZ . I am very positive but I am not able to watch tomorrow , only the 4th game I will have missed this season which is not bad.

[bluedaddy19]

Shield will not be presented to AZ at the ArenA, reports NOS Teletekst.

AZ want to officially receive it at their own stadium, so they can celebrate that moment with their home crowd. They asked the KNVB if that was okay (even though it's not the official protocol) and it was okay with them.

Okay with me, too...

K.

word x 747581574158717547511570547832

[Van basten]

Another great goal on Vermeer's account

[Orange14]

another long pass and a cheap goal given. I don't know if I can take much more of this!

[rjf1]

Another great goal on Vermeer's account

First off - Vermeer made a fantastic 1 on 1 save from close range earlier to keep the score at 0-0. Second, I don't see how you can blame Vermeer for that goal . Blame the defense for letting the player in behind and Oleguer for being slower than molasses trying to catch up. And third - Vermeer just made another fantastic close range stop to keep the score at 0-1.

[Tom_]

Yeah that was a great finish by Lens, I don't think you can really blame the 'keeper for that. You can ask why the only AZ player in the Ajax half was allowed to get a free passage to Vermeer though...

[Tom_]

Jesus, how can that not be a second yellow for Lens?

Also, that challenge on Suárez would've been a penalty for pretty much any other player on the pitch, but you reap what you sow...

[aveslacker]

Question: is this the worst-officiated match since AZ-Ajax two years ago?

I think it might be. Unbelievable.

[Orange14]

No courage from the official to card Lens on his reckless tackle of Oleguer. would have been the second yellow. Except for the one lapse not a bad half. However AZ is rock solid on defense and it will be very difficult to put one in the net.

[Orange14]

Question: is this the worst-officiated match since AZ-Ajax two years ago?

I think it might be. Unbelievable.

Certainly ranks up in the top five. He was tough early on with yellows but now seems to have lost control.

[rjf1]

I think Suarez had a good case for a penalty that the referee did not give. Maybe if it was someone other than Suarez -- who has a bit of a diving reputation -- the penalty might have been given.

[Van basten]

Another great goal on Vermeer's account

First off - Vermeer made a fantastic 1 on 1 save from close range earlier to keep the score at 0-0. Second, I don't see how you can blame Vermeer for that goal . Blame the defense for letting the player in behind and Oleguer for being slower than molasses trying to catch up. And third - Vermeer just made another fantastic close range stop to keep the score at 0-1.

Vermeer would take that ball if he would cross for this ball like he did in similar situation couple minutes later. In my eyes that's Vermeers goal

[rjf1]

Another great goal on Vermeer's account

First off - Vermeer made a fantastic 1 on 1 save from close range earlier to keep the score at 0-0. Second, I don't see how you can blame Vermeer for that goal . Blame the defense for letting the player in behind and Oleguer for being slower than molasses trying to catch up. And third - Vermeer just made another fantastic close range stop to keep the score at 0-1.

Vermeer would take that ball if he would cross for this ball like he did in similar situation couple minutes later. In my eyes that's Vermeers goal

Only seeing it on the internet I can't say for sure -- but, unlike the second time, it looked to me that he would never have gotten to the ball in time if he went for it in that position. Also -- at the start -- it looked like Oleguer was going to get back in time to cover -- which he never did. As was said -- it was a terrific finish -- a little to the right and Vermeer would have stopped it; a little to the left and it would have hit the post.

[Tom_]

We look so vulnerable to AZ's pace on the counter when our back line is pushed up. Difficult to see how we're going to get back in this, especially with Suárez losing the ball every time he touches it.

P.S. Is anyone else watching on ESPN360? I'm deeply embarrassed and apologise on behalf of Australia for the terrible commentary...

[bluedaddy19]

2 quick notes:

- making an earlier or later save does not negate a soft goal, that is NOT an even trade

- it's funny how refs NEVER see flagrant handballs by our opponents

[SE6Ajacied]

Just home in time for the second half.

Watching Ajax and learning Italian at the same time (SportItalia TV) - you can't beat it.

AZ are down to 10 men - Shaars of for a horrible lunge from behind.

Come on Ajax

[rjf1]

2 quick notes:

- making an earlier or later save does not negate a soft goal, that is NOT an even trade

- it's funny how refs NEVER see flagrant handballs by our opponents

I'm not arguing that it wasn't a soft goal -- I just don't think you can blame Vermeer for it.

[SE6Ajacied]

Still 1-0 Suarez missed a penalty!

[Tom_]

Shit, he'd better put this in...

[Tom_]

Fucking hell. Doesn't really surprise me, he's having a shocker

[Orange14]

What a comedy of errors. Make up call for the two earlier blown penalties and what does Suarez do???????