PSV and Ajax share points in tense stalemate
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Eredivisie
Philips Stadium, Eindhoven
Wednesday, 19 Mar 2008
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Well after all the excitement of cutting PSV’s gap down to 4 points at the weekend, Ajax failed in their bid to narrow the gap even further. In spite of having the majority of possession, the Amsterdam club failed to convert any of their chances and the game ultimately fizzled out in a goalless stalemate.
Ajax lined up in a very unusual fashion. With the sad death of his father, Maarten Stekelenburg was replaced by Dennis Gentenaar in goal. More surprisingly, was the return of Leonardo to the starting line-up who replaced the injured Gabri and was favored above Kenneth Perez. Klaas Jan Huntelaar was dropped back to a midfield position, with Ajax starting with Leonardo and Suarez up front.
Davids battles with Mendez. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax started the game in a very positive fashion and were rewarded with a corner in the first 2 minutes of the game which unfortunately did not result in anything clear cut being created. Ajax definitely looked the stronger of the 2 teams in the early stages despite the unusual looking line up. Tackles were crisp and every Ajax player looked determined not to give PSV any breathing space to play football. Leonardo in particular had a great first half and appeared all over the pitch causing the PSV defense many problems.
Although dominating play, Ajax did not create many chances, with the best coming in the latter stages of the first half. The first a shot from Silva which hit the side netting after great work from Suarez in the box.
And then Ajax thought they had taken the lead in the 38th minute when Suarez put the ball in the net but was correctly judged offside by the assistant referee, although the distance was minimal. Suarez had created the chance himself by wriggling into the box where a pass back to Huntelaar resulted in a miss-hit shot which Suarez latched on to and placed the ball in net, only for the assistant referee to have raised his flag.
Ajax could only look back on a half where they had been certainly the better team and were unlucky not to go into the break in front.
Silva was impressive in neutralizing PSV's Farfan. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
Ajax started the 2nd half with the same line up and the match up for grabs. But it has to be said that the 2nd half overall was pretty dire. Ajax again appeared to be the better team but really failed to create any clear cut chances. A great shot from Huntelaar which flew narrowly past the upright was probably the pick of the bunch. Both Suarez and Leonardo missed good chances, chances which Huntelaar would have undoubtedly made a better job of taking. Suarez unfortunately had a poor 2nd half when despite receiving lots of the ball made nothing of it for either himself or his teammates. Leonardo was visibly tiring in the 2nd half and it was no surprise when both he and Suarez were replaced by Perez and Rommendahl. The oncoming players did not really contribute anything to the dying moments of the game.
The most bizarre incident of the evening occurred with 7 minutes remaining. Gomes, the PSV keeper, and Heitinga clashed innocuously in the box and all hell broke loose with first Heitinga and then David’s being mobbed by irate PSV players. Gomes then belatedly fell down in dramatic fashion as if having been flattened by a punch. Gomes actions seemed to mirror those of his fellow countryman, Milan goalkeeper Dida, who in a Champions League match against Celtic this year appeared on the verge of death after a slight touch. On that occasion UEFA banned the Milan player for 3 games. It remains to be seen whether the KNVB will impose a similar sanction on Gomes.
Huntelaar, playing from midfield, squandered his best scoring
opportunity in the final minutes of the game. [Photo: Ajax.nl]
The game petered out after that and finished goalless. Koster said after the game “I have to pay the team a compliment. The guys fought for all they were worth. We did all we can, but it wasn't enough to win." All Ajax can do for the remainder of the season is to win every game and hope that PSV drop 4 points, something not beyond the realm of possibility. (Gordon Paterson)
Goals:
Referee: Braamhaar
Yellow Cards: Méndez (PSV); Heitinga, Emanuelson (Ajax).
Attendance: 35,000
Lineups:
- Ajax line-up: Gentenaar; Silva, Heitinga, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Davids, Emanuelson, Lindgren; Leonardo (73. Rommedahl), Huntelaar, Suárez (73. Perez).
- PSV line-up: Gomes; Alcides, Kromkamp, Marcellis, Salcido; Bakkal, Dzsudzsák, Méndez; Simons, Farfán, Koevermans (74. Lazovic).
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