Ajax come from behind to win at Breda
| 2 (0) |
3 (1) |
Eredivisie
Rat Verlegh Stadium
Sunday, 24 Feb 2008
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Well, what a surprising week! The board resigns, Johan Cruijff is back, confirmation of Marco van Basten as new head coach, and maybe the biggest surprise of all... an away win for Ajax, breaking the hearts of NAC fans by ending their seven match winning run!
NAC could have thought that this fixture almost guaranteed an extension to their unbeaten run, but goals by Klas-Jan Huntelaar, Urby Emanuelson and the hottest property around, Johnny Heitinga, gave the visitors an unexpected 2-3 win.
Edgar Davids. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax presented themselves in a more defensive formation for this match. The use of five in midfield, leaving Huntelaar as the sole striker, seemed to clutter the midfield, but it provided the defense with a little more security.
The match started with Ajax in the ascendancy, Thomas Vermaelen and Jan Vertonghen both having chances in the NAC penalty box. At the other end, Amoah was proving to be dangerous; only Heitinga's last second lunge prevented the Breda striker from breaking through on goal.
The five man midfield seemed to be working, in that Ajax had greater possession in the first fifteen minutes, although the lack of pace in the build ups gave NAC the chance to both contain and then counter attack, the latter being at a greater speed. The more effective passing and control of the visitors seemed to be matched by the tenacity and speed of the home team, both determined that the match was going to provide a positive outcome.
The first real chance, and also a warning for the NAC defence, was when Feher made an error in leaving Emanuelson unmarked on the left. He fed Edgar Davids, who in turn provided an inch-perfect cross for Huntelaar to head home: 0-1 Ajax.
Immediately after this, Ajax could have gone two up when Davids and Emanuelson combined again to feed Gabri, but the Spaniard's shot at goal lacked power and was easily dealt with by the home keeper. NAC now sprang into action, with both Amoah and Fehrer going close, exposing familiar problems in the Ajax defense.
Kenneth Perez was working well in midfield, often creating piercing passes forward, but the isolation of Huntelaar meant that these attacks usually ended with the NAC defense easily taking possession. The remainder of the midfield worked manfully, tracking back to maintain a more solid looking defense. Davids, Gabri -- who was yellow carded after forty three minutes -- and Emanuelson worked to ensure that the back four were well protected…at least until half time.
After the break, Brandts having given his team a rousing talk , NAC stirred into action. Amoah went close, forcing Stekelenburg to save at the near post. This was the sign of things to come, especially as the Ajax defense was harshly treated by the referee on two occasions….the second proving to be a turning point in the game.
On fifty minutes, Fehrer sent a pin point free kick deep into the Ajax penalty area, only to see all of the defenders lose their markers! Stekelenburg must have been amazed as he was confronted by three unmarked NAC players, Amoah having the easy job of heading past the static Ajax keeper. NAC were level, and beginning to believe that this game could be won.
Only one minute later, Amoah was through on goal, forcing Stekelenburg to save smartly, with Silva and Gabri helping to clear. This was immediately followed by a mazy run by Fehrer, ending in a shot which went close to the right hand post. NAC were on a roll.
On fifty eight minutes, Rob Penders climbed highest to reach a Fehrer free kick and power the ball past the helpless Stekelenburg. The Ajax defensive jinx was evident again…too much player watching and not enough looking at the ball: 2-1 to NAC.
Ajax seemed to be stirred into action now by the disgruntled chants coming from their own fans….Huntelaar came close a minute later, closely followed by a Heitinga thunderbolt which curved just wide. On sixty seven minutes, Koster decided to add some more offensive players, with Luis Suarez replacing the tiring Dennis Rommedahl and Nigel de Jong replacing Kenneth Perez. Indeed, things started to turn toward Ajax after these changes.
Suarez immediately came into the action when sprinting to save an aimless pass from Gabri, but his cross was easily cut out. Further work by Suarez led to a confrontation with Penders in which they were both yellow carded by referee Luinge. (As a result, Suarez will miss next Sunday's game against Excelsior.)
The more inventive midfield allowed Davids and Emanuelson to go forward, and the latter collected a ball on the edge of the penalty area and forced a shot goalwards. This took a wicked deflection off Zwaanswijk on its way into the net. Ajax were level, 2-2.
Urby Emanuelson's deflected shot gave Ajax an unlikely equalizer. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
There was a feeling of belief in the Ajax team now, and they began attacking on both flanks. Silva became the third Ajax player to be yellow carded, and he will also miss the next match. But with six men attacking the NAC goal, and a very slack defense by the hosts, man of the moment Johnny Heitinga sent a header into the NAC net. A miracle had happened: Ajax were in front, and only fourteen minutes left!
Ajax continued to push forwards, this possibly being the only way to protect such a weak defense. NAC did have one run on the Ajax goal but this was well dealt with by Thomas Vermaelen. Seconds later, Huntelaar caused a goal to be ruled out through advancing too far forwards, but this was taking up vital seconds, and the game finally expired.
Ajax left Breda with a win, which, against a team unbeaten for seven matches, was good. But the fragility of the defense still remains the main cause of concern. Yes, the players did perform at a higher level than recently, possibly because their "new coach" was an observer, but this should be the norm. The standard of play was good. The commitment was good. The passion was good. This should be repeated every game. If we see the same Ajax against Excelsior next week, PSV might begin looking over their shoulder once again. (Ian Walker)
Goals:
- 14' 0-1 Huntelaar
- 50' 1-1 Amoah
- 58' 2-1 Penders
- 76' 2-2 Emanuelson
- 82' 2-3 Heitinga
Referee: Luinge
Yellow Cards: Silva, Gabri, Suarez (Ajax); Penders (NAC).
Attendance: 16,380
Lineups:
- Ajax line-up: Stekelenburg; Silva, Heitinga, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Davids, Emanuelson, Gabri, Perez (67. De Jong), Rommedahl (67. Suárez); Huntelaar.
- nac.html line-up: Ten Rouwelaar; Elshot, Mtiliga, Penders, Zwaanswijk; Feher (76. Sikora), Molhoek, Stam, Amoah; Kolkka (46. Idabdelhay), Lurling.
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