Ajax

[gerbie]

My team for decades. They have done little to do me proud the last years. Tonight they did. They made it into the semi-finals of the cup. On top of that, so did their second team! The second team played the opening match of a doubleheader, beating Telstar (a second division team) to reach the last four. They had beaten top flight teams in the previous two rounds already.

And they managed to avoid each other in the draw. Ajax 2 has to play Utrecht. A team almost unbeatable at home lately, but as it is in Amsterdam, they still stand a chance. The day afterwards Ajax 1 is facing PSV. Not a team in shape, but something of an 'angstgegner' as the Germans put it so well. Since the opening of the Amsterdam Arena, PSV hasn't lost a single match there yet. They won the supercup several times AND beaten Ajax in every league match but one since '96, which they drew.

But still a final between the first two teams is still possible....

Comments

support?

[harryroberts.livejournal.com]

so which team would you support? the 1st team or the 2nd team? doesnt matter really though, the 2nd team must have done amazingly well to get as far as they have.

i've never heard of a 2nd team actually doing something like this. good luck (for both teams).

Re: support?

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Ajax has a bit of a history there. The second team managed the quarter finals twice, once even after the first team had been kicked out. The team with the De Boer brothers, Witschge, Vink and Roy managed to get far. Soon enough they were all international players.

those are some players!!

[harryroberts.livejournal.com]

damn ive heard of a few of those names somewhere, lol (top class players). any good dutch young players coming through now?? Van Bommell appears to be making a good name for himself.

read an article today in the newspaper (never usually read them) but one of the De Boer players was saying how england now have a good team with a good bunch of young players bursting through into the U21 and international teams, Joe Cole & Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe (all west ham). He was saying that england are definately getting better but not the quality of "France, Brazil" etc and he was totally right weve got a lot more competition for places in all positions (except left midfield) and hopefully these kids will do well.

Re: those are some players!!

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

The English U21 beat the Dutch late last year to qualify for the EC. You've certainly got good talent. This summer I think the lack of experience and sheer class will harm you. But in Portugal (EC2004) and Germany (WC2006) I rate your country high. Obviously there is plenty that can happen.

I know a country that has the topscorers of England and Spain, but still can't score against a bunch of part timers in Ireland...

We've got a few youngsters coming up, but do not rate us very high. 8 of the players in Ajax 2 are foreign. Young, full of talent, but not Dutch.

Re: those are some players!!

[harryroberts.livejournal.com]

tell you what Van Nistelrooy is probably the most complete striker ive seen this season.

he can create goals out of nothing and regularly does, his amazing scoring record in the dutch league has continued in the premier league.

lack of experience could be a problem but if the players who are given a chance actually give it a gom who knows. Newcastle have the hardest group i think but its not impossible.

Re: those are some players!!

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Nothing is impossible, yet in the end there are always the same countries that reach far in big tournaments. And experience counts. That's why I'll stick with Portugal for the next summer. Talent and experienced, seems a great combination. It's their last chance on a world cup, after the Euro 2004 in their own backgardens this generation will retire.

Re: those are some players!!

[harryroberts.livejournal.com]

dunno i reckon there defence isnt as strong as other countries, but every year i say Italy are strong everywhere and they never win. who do you actually want or are you not bothered since the dutch arent playing?

Re: those are some players!!

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't be that bothered, even if the Dutch were playing. I'll stick to any team that wants to play an attractive game. Probably Portugal and Costa Rica at first, disappointment looms..

[jeroen.livejournal.com]

yes, Ajax made me proud again too