Ajax, the three time defending champions of Eredivisie and AZ Alkmaar, the winners of KNVB Beker [beat league champions Ajax 3-0 at Amsterdam in semis and league runners up PSV 2-1 in finals] faced off against each other at Amsterdam for Johan Cruijff Schaal, the traditional Dutch Super Cup for nearly two decades. Participation in this tournament is not new for De Boer's Ajax, as they also contested for this trophy last 3 years. Though they lost all three times, De Amsterdammers went on to win the Eredivisie to complete a hat-trick and also added a third star to their badge [winning 30th league title in 2010/11]. For Ajax, this year's match was against a side who finished 11th [out of 16] in league and lost Jozy Altidore and Adam Maher in the summer window, while no big names have moved out of Ajax. Bojan made his competitive debut for the Amsterdam side as right winger with Fischer on the left. Other starters: Sigthorsson, Siem De Jong, Eriksen, Schone, Van Rhijn, Alderweireld, Moisander, Blind, Vermeer.
Ajax started the match positively shaking off any pre-season rustiness and AZ desperately clung on after Ajax attacked the goal several times. AZ’s keeper Esteban was impressive in goal saving at least four one-on-ones in the entire game. It was a surprise the match went 0-0 at HT. Bojan was the best player on the pitch. Gertjan Verbeek sent his side with only one plan in mind – defend with 9 men and attack on counters. The ploy worked successfully as AZ went on counter after yet another wave of Ajax attack with Blind elbowed out. With a 2-on-1 situation, AZ easily scored the first goal through Gudmundsson. De Boer protested to the fourth official but that didn't change the outcome. This was when the tv channel did an Anderson and went missing for 20 mins. In that time, AZ managed to score another through Johansson while Gouweleeuw scored an own goal to cut AZ’s lead to just 2-1. Bojan got subbed with Lucas Andersen, who did extremely well after coming on as sub. Esteban kept saving AZ’s arse with Ajax camping in AZ’s half with all 10 outfield players. Finally, Ajax managed to get an equalizer when Alderweireld's powerful drive from outside the box could only be parried into Sigthorsson’s path who calmly slotted into the keeperless net.
Sigthorsson had another chance to score the winner in injury time but no further goals were added. Extra time was similar to how the match went till then – waves of Ajax attack desperately defended by AZ. Finally in the first period of extra time, Eriksen crossed the ball from near the corner flag after exchanging neat passes with Andersen and captain Siem scored a header from the far post. Ajax tried to score further but AZ had two great chances on counter which were both saved by Vermeer. Match finished 3-2 – a repeat of the scoreline when these two sides last met in Alkmaar – and Ajax won their 8th JC Cup [PSV on 9].
Last time Frank de Boer won the Johan Cruijff Schaal ['95], Ajax won the league and went to European Cup finals. Wouldn't mind taking the same deal now
Positives:
1. Bojan Krkic - Overmars and De Boer were happy to get Bojan on loan as he was trained in La Masia and hence fits Ajax style perfectly. He started on the right and caused lot of trouble to AZ full back. He combined well with Van Rhijn who made overlapping runs while Bojan slipped between the defenders. He also has a good shot on him and forced Esteban into couple of good saves. With Lukoki still very raw and Sana capable of playing left wing [whenever Fischer needs a break], I expect Bojan to contribute a lot this season.
2. Alderweireld - The combination of Vertonghen and Alderweireld in 11/12 was so unique in the sense that both the defenders are comfortable on the ball and are capable of carrying it further up the pitch to join attacks. This is in contrast to usual blood-and-thunder-defender + slick-passer combinations that are found aplenty. Once again, Alderweireld was calm on the ball and contributed to several attacks by releasing long passes to Fischer/Blind on the left side. It was rumoured that he might leave Ajax soon [with Norwich City a strong possible destination], but he seems to bide his time. He may still leave but I hope he stays.
3. Joel Veltman - Losing big players every season is not new to Eredivisie clubs, which includes Ajax, even if they are hat-trick league winners. Siem de Jong, Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld were all rumoured to leave and Veltman was identified as Toby's replacement. He came on as a sub and had a particularly impressive last man tackle without which AZ would have had two attackers on goal with only keeper Vermeer to beat.
4. Viktor Fischer - The current Ajax squad was put together at a cost of 19.5m Euros and this should bring a sense of perspective when you think they paid 16.5m Euros to get Miralem Sulejmani in 2008. After the club let him go to the Portuguese giants SL Benfica this year, Viktor Fischer inherited the #7 jersey which assures everyone that he's going to be a main starter from now on. Fischer had an impressive Next Gen tournament in 11/12 when Ajax lost to Inter Milan in finals and he was promoted to the senior team last season when he's only 18. After impressive performances last year, it seems like Fischer will now be a primary starter [over the likes of Boerrigter, Lukoki, Sana]. He was very good against AZ and could have scored a couple of goals but luck was not on his side. There was one particular moment when he brought down a long pass from Aldeweireld at the edge of the AZ box with an exquisite touch. My favorite moment of the match, though it didn't result in a goal.
5. Eriksen and Siem de Jong - Two important players who were touted to leave Amsterdam for pastures anew, it is nearly confirmed that captain Siem de Jong will be staying. Siem is probably the least technical of all midfielders that Ajax got [let's forget for a moment that Poulsen still plays for them] but he always comes up with big goals. He can play as a midfielder alongside Eriksen and bully his way out of opposition midfield and he can also cover for Sigthorsson as CF when Siggy gets his annual long term injury. For the last 3 seasons, Siem de Jong has scored in league winning games and once again, when his side crawled back from 2-0 down to 2-2, Siem came up with the winner. Both the players are still very young and if they decide to stay for another season, Ajax might actually do well in Europe as long as they don't get silly groups [12/13: Group of Death - Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Man City, 11/12: Real Madrid and Lyon with Lyon beating Dinamo Zagreb 7-1 in final group game knocking out Ajax who saw two perfectly legitimate goals ruled out for offside against Madrid, 10/11: Real Madrid and AC Milan].
Special mention: Nicolai Boilesen who came as substitute for Blind after battling a long term injury. Last time he played was in 2012 against Manchester United in Europa League.
Last time a Johan Cruijff Schaal winner went on to win the Eredivisie was in 2000/01 [PSV Eindhoven]. Let's hope Ajax repeat the same.
Final score:
Ajax 3-2 AZ [Gouweleeuw og, Sigthorsson, Siem de Jong; Gudmundsson, Johansson]
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