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Match Report: Ajax 4, Roda JC 2

Ajax convincing in 'US Televised Debut'

21 October: "I am not satisfied about Roda's second goal", said Co Adriaanse - critical as always. Bernard Tchoutang's 90th minute goal did not seem necessary and was somewhat annoying indeed. But apart from that, there was not too much for the Ajax coach to complain about. Roda, from Kerkrade, beat Ajax three times last season, but were now put aside by a convincing Ajax team, in an attractive game: 4-2.

It's obvious that the difference between Ajax 'home' and Ajax 'away' is enormous this season. The team went a goal down within ten minutes in their last couple of away games, but had a flashing start against Roda, illustrated by two scoring chances straight from kick-off. Roda JC created early danger as well: a Tchoutang shot grazed Fred Grim's fingers and the cross-bar. It made the game's opening into a spectacular one. The first fifteen minutes were concluded by a remarkably beautiful Ajax attack: Cedric van der Gun penetrated the Roda defense, his intelligent pass was pushed into the net by Tomás Galásek: 1-0 (16).

It must have delighted Co Adriaanse to see how hard his team worked, how strong and self-assured Nikos Machlas was in ball-possession, how irreproachable Tomás Galásek controlled the midfield, how easily 17 year-old talent Rafaël van der Vaart kept up on a professional level. The second, decisive goal seemed a matter of time during the remainder of the first half.

It took Ajax twenty more minutes to score it. A physically strong action brought Nikos Machlas inside the Roda penalty box, where he was brought down by Regilio Vrede. Weak referee Luinge, who had so far drawn attention by giving ridiculous yellow cards to Roda's Van Dessel and Ajax' Bergdølmo, was right this time and provided Cristian Chivu the chance to calmly fire past Bas Roorda from the penalty spot (36).

Roda's hopes vanished, although Danish striker Mark Nygaard got an excellent chance to head his team back into the game, early in the second half. Apart from that, things did not really change in the second 45 minutes. After having received grateful and encouraging applause at half time, Ajax received an ovation for their supreme third goal. Rafaël van der Vaart was launched from midfield and lifted the ball with a subtle movement of his foot, taking Roorda by surprise. A beautiful goal by a beautiful player: 3-0 (67).

Eric van de Luér's excellent header goal (74) didn't really bother anyone. The Ajax team is young and inexperienced, but last season hardly brought any home games as good as this one. Co Adriaanse's work for the club is of much bigger impact tha the number of defeats implicates - and most supporters know that. The future looks good for Ajax, which was demonstrated by the two young substitutes, who produced the last Ajax goal together. The Dutch press is raving about short Nigerian winger Pius Ikedia. His marvellous run through the Roda defense resulted in a shot against the cross-bar. Brutil Hosé gave the finishing touch with his head.

Playing with such determination and style, winning the large part of the upcoming away games should be possible. Against Roda, the team seemed close to breaking the spell. The next league away game, however, was seldomly won by Ajax in the last few years: in Eindhoven, against PSV. Even Louis van Gaal's dream team did it only once. Nobody expects this season's Ajax team to win in Eindhoven, but that might be exactly the level of expectations the team needs. There's only one more job to be done before PSV - Ajax, and actually, that one is of great importance, too: Lausanne Sports is waiting on Thursday. Two important away games in a row. Tough, but Ajax - Roda JC was a pretty good prologue. (MP)

GOALS

• 16' 1-0 Tomás Galásek
• 36' 2-0 Cristian Chivu (penalty)
• 67' 3-0 Rafaël van der Vaart
• 74' 3-1 Eric van de Luér
• 86' 4-1 Brutil Hosé
• 90' 4-2 Bernard Tchoutang

Referee: Luinge
Bookings: Bergdølmo (Ajax), Van Dessel, Senden, Vrede (Roda JC)
Attendance: 35,678

Ajax line-up: Grim; Vierklau, Pasanen, Chivu, Bergdølmo; Winter, Galásek, Van der Vaart; Van der Gun (63. Ikedia), Machlas (82. Hosé), Wamberto.

Roda JC line-up: Roorda; Senden, Vrede, Luijpers, Van Haaren; Van de Luér, Van Dessel, Tchoutang; Nygaard (78. Tomasic), Anastasiou, Lawal (68. Soetaers).