Dutch Cup: Ajax and PSV are out!

By: Jan | November 12th, 2008

Van Basten knew before the match against Volendam that his team was in trouble. Ajax manages to create a lot of chances, but with KJH first lacking form and now injured until 2009 and his normal replacements injured or not yet fit, he wondered…who’s gonna score the goals?

Evander Sno was the man to replace the Hunter upfront but like many other great players on in Ajax’ squad, he lacks the finesse and cool to do what Hunter does best: finish.

And “the ball is round”, also against Volendam, meaning that anything can happen. And it did.

Jack Tuyp, mentioned in my yesterday post on the match as the only real striker on the pitch, did what strikers need to do: score…

Ajax started with Kennedy, Sno and Zeegelaar up front. Kennedy was told pre-season that he was allowed to leave, Sno was signed as a midfielder and Zeegelaar is the left winger for the A1 youth. Emanuelson couldn’t play due to groin issues (Van Basten wanted to rest him for the big games ahead against AZ and PSV) and Leonardo was benched.

In the first half, Ajax’ pace was much too low and in the second half Ajax did everything right bar score goals. There were too many chances to mention: Sno (who couldn’t keep his footing on the slippery pitch and seemed to think off side was canceled for this match), Suarez (4 chances), De Jong, Leonardo, Gabri… The list is endless.

Worries for Ajax, in the run up to the big games. Ajax can now focus on the title and their European ambitions, but it will need to put balls away if they want to win matches. The big question, after Sno’s failing, remains: who will replace Huntelaar in the coming weeks…

PSV had to take on title contender AZ. Louis van Gaal had some striker worries like Ajax, but the flow of AZ’s play was still intact. PSV’s coach Huub Stevens had changed the team around again, offering Kromkamp another chance to show himself. The latter got injured in the match and was taken off the pitch by stretcher. Not looking good for the former AZ man.

In the second half, it was all AZ doing the football, pushing PSV on the back foot. Demy de Zeeuw came closest to scoring when he hit the post.

It took AZ until late in the extra time to finish the game off. It was David Mendes Da Silva who passed judgement over PSV, defeating them for the third time in a row (NEC, Olympique and now AZ).

Going to the Arsenal game? Find out how to get to North London and where to stay near Emirates Stadium.