Confident at home; Ajax storm to 6-2 victory over Sparta Rotterdam
| 6 (5) |
2 (1) |
Eredivisie
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam
Saturday, 15 Feb 2008
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So, would it be justified to draw the conclusion that Ajax is finally on-form and not written-off for the Eredivisie title this year, after their convincing win against Sparta Rotterdam (6-2)? Almost every Ajax fan knows the answer: no, it wouldn't, simply because everyone fears Ajax will show as early as next Sunday that it was just another incidental result. This has happened too many times this season. Nonetheless, Ajax played a good game against Sparta and gave the crowd at the ArenA a good time, although no-one will say that the season is not already lost.
Ajax played well from the start, putting Sparta’s defense under pressure. The first real chance came in the 10th minute when Kenneth Perez latched onto a long ball by Lindgren, managed to round Sparta goalkeeper Sander Westerveld but failed to score from a tight angle in front of an empty net. An Ajax goal was, however, in the air. And indeed – the deadlock was broken shortly after: Heitinga received the ball in midfield, ran forward and made himself some space before firing home with a beautiful left-footed strike into the low corner of the Sparta goal: 1-0. (14’)
Ajax continued being the better side on the pitch, dominating in possession and going forward whenever possible. The next good chance came in the 23rd minute and it was again for Perez who fired just wide on a low cross from Rommedahl. However, Sparta were given a chance to equalize: on a free kick Vermaelen missed his header, leaving Marvin Emnes in a position to score, just in front of Stekelenburg, but he sent the ball wide. Shortly after Ajax would score the second goal: Huntelaar headed the ball into the net on a corner (29’).
Goalkeeper Sander Westerveld didn’t look convincing - and this could be said once again two minutes later, when again a corner was taken into the Sparta penalty box. The ball was cleared but it fell to Luque (a rather surprising starter in Adrie Koster's side) who fired a not-so-dangerous shot, which would however prove too difficult for the Sparta keeper to hold on to, and there came Rasmus Lindgren to blast home on the rebound: 3-0 (32’). It was the Swede's first ever goal for Ajax and one he definitely deserved, based on his fine performance on the day.
Rasmus Lindgren celebrates his first-ever Ajax goal, and it would
prove to be (technically, at least) the match-winner. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax were coasting to victory now, but just three minutes later their cushion was reduced. No one in red and white was able to clear a long-range cross by Sjaak Polak from a free kick and it fell to Darryl Roberts, who volleyed home from the edge of the box, making sure that Ajax were not going to keep a clean sheet on the night: 3-1 (34’).
The Sparta goal may have proved that the Ajax defense still can improve a lot, but in attack the red and white were unstoppable, and their goal fiesta continued. Heitinga would score a smartly taken second goal (another splendid low shot past Westerveld in the 38th minute) and soon Perez also got on the scoresheet, firing home from the edge of the box (40’)
Dennis Gentenaar replaced Maarten Stekelenburg at half time, after
the starting 'keeper picked up an injury in the first half. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
5-1 at half time - and the game was already won. This partly explains why Ajax were not so productive (or even interested) in the second half. They handed Sparta the initiative and were more rarely on the attack. Sparta’s biggest chance in the second half would come on 52 minutes when Edouard Duplan was through on goal after beating the whole Ajax defense, but he failed to beat substitute 'keeper Dennis Gentenaar.
Two minutes later Heitinga was through at the other end but couldn’t complete his hattrick as he shot straight into Westerveld. Another good chance for Ajax came in the 79th minute when Huntelaar controlled a long pass from Vertonghen and lifted the ball over the onstorming Sparta keeper, but over the Sparta goal as well.
Ajax would score a beautiful sixth after all, courtesy of Kenneth Perez who spectacularly volleyed home from a Bruno Silva cross (81’). Perez’ nice goal was followed by an even more beautiful strike at the other end: Gabri lost the ball in midfield, Marvin Emnes picked it up it and fired into the top corner of the Ajax goal from 30 meters out (82’).
Kenneth Perez enjoys his impressive volley. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Final score: 6-2. Ajax were good, netted no less than six times and showed promise again. But it will never be enough to give the fans any hope of an Eredivisie title this season. Not only are PSV more or less out of sight, but even if the reigning champions do drop nine points, there hardly is a reason to believe that Ajax will be able to take advantage. Against Sparta, Ajax played well, but conceded two goals again. Sparta Rotterdam were a side that Ajax had to beat - and they missed a handful of starters, too.
Next Sunday Ajax face an opponent (NAC Breda) that has beaten their defense seven times in two matches this season and are currently 5th in the Eredivisie. What will happen in Breda? It's hard to predict, but one thing's for sure: this win over Sparta doesn't say anything. (Ioan Alexandrov)
Goals:
- 14' 1-0 John Heitinga
- 29' 2-0 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
- 31' 3-0 Rasmus Lindgren
- 34' 3-1 Darryl Roberts
- 39' 4-1 John Heitinga
- 40' 5-1 Kenneth Perez
- 81' 6-1 Kenneth Perez
- 82' 6-2 Marvin Emnes
Referee: Nijhuis
Yellow Cards: none
Attendance: 49,260
Lineups:
- Ajax line-up: Stekelenburg (46. Gentenaar); Silva, Heitinga, Vermaelen (51. Emanuelson), Vertonghen; Gabri, Perez, Lindgren; Rommedahl, Huntelaar, Luque (74. Suárez).
- Sparta Rotterdam line-up: Westerveld; Jaggy, Polak, Promes, Schenkel (79. Adeleye); Tiendalli, Duplan (57. John), Slot; Van Bueren (57. Strootman), Emnes, Roberts.
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