Convincing Ajax keep a clean sheet against Utrecht
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Eredivisie
Amsterdam ArenA, Amsterdam
Wednesday, 23 Jan 2008
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It may sound strange for a win of 'only' 2-0 over the modest #9 of the Eredivisie, but you could say that Ajax's performance against FC Utrecht was – all things considered – the best of the whole season. One half of good football (the second) and two fine goals are not unique. What made this match particularly satisfying was the fact that Ajax had Utrecht firmly by the throat for almost the full 90 minutes and (we kid you not) looked remarkably solid at the back.
Indeed: it was only the fourth time for Ajax to keep a clean sheet in an Eredivisie game, and the first time since 28 October 2007 against… FC Utrecht (0-1 at Galgenwaard Stadium). Today's result is something to be pleased with, if you consider that Utrecht are particularly hard to beat away from home: they lost only two away matches so far this season, at AZ and PSV.
Davids, captain, played from the start. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax had to do without Gabri, arguably their most important defensive force in midfield, and Utrecht did in fact (in the first half) have a lot of space to counter-attack, but they failed to do anything with it. Which brings us to the most important statement of the day: the Ajax defense deserved a major compliment today. John Heitinga played a near-perfect match, scored agoal and totally deserved the 'Man of the Match' title, but the two fullbacks also deserve a mention. Urby Emanuelson made a major leap forward and played his best game in months. The surprise of the day, however, was Ajax's right fullback: Jurgen Colin, who got the nod from Adrie Koster instead of George Ogararu, who started on the bench.
Let it be said: Colin had a good one. He kept it simple when he had the ball, surprised the crowd with a couple of fine thru-passes and, most importantly, was flawless as a man-marker. This was Jurgen Colin's best performance as an Ajacied. He needed a match like this. Good for him.
The first half of Ajax vs Utrecht was everything but spectacular. Suárez hit the side netting (15'), goalkeeper Vorm saved a fine shot from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (37') and, very early in the game, Robin Nelisse would have gotten Utrecht's only massive chance of the match on Suárez's erratic backpass, if it wasn't for John Heitinga's pristine last-gasp tackle. Ajax's first clear-cut opportunity of the game was created in the 40th minute, when Siem de Jong came face to face with Vorm, but the Utrecht 'keeper saved well. That was it, pretty much. The first half was dull, but it must have been reassuring to the average Ajax supporter: their team finally looked solid, for a change. Utrecht were hardly ever dangerous; the hosts determined the match.
Ajax increased the pressure immediately after the break – and then there were chances. Suárez's actions were getting more dangerous, John Heitinga's beautiful volley went inches wide (47') and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar should have been awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when he was clearly pushed over inside the area.
Ajax were all over Utrecht around the hour mark, but the score was still 0-0, and a result was still perfectly within the visitors' reach. However, just when they decided to cautiously attempted to peak over the parapet, Ajax took the lead. Edgar Davids' cross from the left was so high that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar could perfectly anticipate. His wonderful first-time volley from the edge of the box beat Vorm: 1-0 (65'). Question is: was it KJH's 19th or 20th goal of the season? It all depends on Huntelaar's second goal agains FC Twente on 27 December: the free-kick took a deflection off the wall and referee Roelof Luinge put it down as an own goal from Edson Braafheid. Ajax and Huntelaar feel that this type of goal is normally not regarded as an own goal (and most TV reporters and newspapers seemed to agree with them at the time). Ajax have submitted an official request to the KNVB to 'give Huntelaar his goal back'. Whatever happens: the Ajax striker scored seven goals in his last five Eredivisie games. Amazing.
FC Utrecht were a goal down and (only six minutes later) gave themselves the death blow. Defender Sander Keller mowed down Urby Emanuelson, a foul that was not only dirty but also totally unnecessary. Keller had already been booked, but that didn't matter to referee Pieter Vink, who showed the Utrecht man a 'direct' red card. Urby Emanuelson had to be stretchered off. What a sad departure for the Ajacied, who finally seemed to have spotted the light at the end of the long, dark tunnel of his form-crisis. Luckily, his injury doesn't seem very serious. He might actually be fit for Sunday's trip to Arnhem.
Emanuelson's replacement was… Thomas Vermaelen. The left-footed defender returned from injury for his first official appearance in more than four months' time. One minute earlier, Leonardo had also been brought on, replacing Luis Suárez. Davids, Vermaelen, Leonardo, newcomer Bruno Silva… They're all fit and ready for action. Which is good news, at the start of a two-week period in which Ajax will have to show where they really stand.
Against ten Utrecht players, Ajax were far superior in the latter 20 minutes of the encounter. The Amsterdammers secured the three points six minutes after Keller's dismissal. Kenneth Perez's cross from the right was perfectly nodded back to the penalty spot by Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The onstorming, unmarked John Heitinga could pick his corner and graced a superb performance with his first goal of the season: 2-0 (77').
Heitinga capped off an excellent evening with his first goal of the season. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
"We patiently waited for that first goal to go in," said Adrie Koster after the match. "But we constantly kept them under pressure and slowly but certainly dismantled them. This is a very useful win. We must keep going like this." (Menno Pot)
Goals:
- 68’ 1-0 Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
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77’ 2-0 John Heitinga
Referee: Vink
Yellow Cards: Davids, De Jong, Vermaelen (Ajax); Cornelisse, Keller, Pieters, Somers (FC Utrecht).
Red Cards: Keller (FC Utrecht, 71’)
Attendance: 45,537
Lineups:
- Ajax line-up: Stekelenburg; Colin, Heitinga, Vertonghen, Emanuelson (74. Vermaelen); De Jong, Perez, Davids; Rommedahl, Huntelaar, Suárez (73. Leonardo).
- utrecht.html line-up: Vorm; Cornelisse, Keller, Dickoh, Pieters; Loval,, Somers, Caluwé (80. Schut); George, Nelisse (75. Rossini), Sanmartean (74. Kruys).
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