Ajax Youth & Amateurs

[Orange14]

Just watched the first match of the Future Cup and Ajax U-17 defeated Man City 3-1. the game was closer than the score line indicates as Man City went up early with a goal off a cross that could not be cleared. Ajax finally equalized with a header by Bouwman off a GK deflection that came right to him after a corner kick. Unuvar scored in the 2nd half and set up the third goal late in the game. Not sure what kind of striker he will be, probably more like Huntelaar than Brobbey. He is scoring a bunch of goals for the youth team and I think he is only 16. Both Ajax CBs were good. Man City players were all big and reasonably quick and could push Ajax players off the ball. However, given Man City can buy whatever they need, it's unlikely that any of them will ever make the first team. Ajax play again later today against FC Partizan and then wrap up pool play tomorrow against CF Pachuca.

All games are 40 minutes with free substitution during the run of play. No throw ins, players get a free kick on the sideline and can pass to themselves. All matches are on the Ajax YouTube channel. Well worth watching the players of the future.

[Tom_]

I watched it too, seeing the ball move through the midfield is a nice antidote to watching Ajax 1 this season.

PSG look a cut above the other teams I’ve seen so far.

[Orange14]

2nd match against FC Partizan ends up 1-1. Ajax were so much better than Partizan but just could not convert. there was some great play by the Partizan GK to keep a couple of Unuvar shots out. Ajax conceded a cheap goal early on when they turned the ball over at MF but still had players back. However, both FBs were positionally awfull letting their wingers get ahead of them. The CBs had to shift over to the right to try to cover and a nice pass was easily slotted in. Ajax had more trouble at the beginning of the 2nd half when an early YC sent the Ajax player to the penalty box (in this competition a YC is a 4 minute penalty). Down a man, Amour launched a reckless challenge for another YC that VAR rightfully signalled might be a RC. To me it was easily a straight RC. Even down two men for another three minutes, Ajax was still pressing and getting turnovers. Partizan was totally unable to take advantage. Messori scored a nice goal off a back heel pass from Steur who is a very talented MF.

Ajax play Pachuca tomorrow and a win puts them top of the table.

[SPL]

Followed the Man City game on Showtime until Ht when someone posted it was on youtube outside Holland so watched the 2nd half but did not watch Partizan as I went out on a rare sunny day .

Unuvar and Steur are the 2 best rated U17 players and they are a year younger than the rest of the squad . Still some talent from those aged 17, most of the defenders plus the 2 goalies are Dutch u17 Ints.

Dreadful result from our U18's who lost 3-2 in the cup semi to Volendam u18 who are 2 divisions below Ajax U18

[Orange14]

Only caught the 2nd half, but Ajax scored three to beat Pachuca and win the group. They will play PSG tomorrow in the semi-final. Partizan finished 2nd in the group.

[SPL]

Only caught the last 10 mins ,Kovacs a big strong striker and mainly plays as a sub because Unuvar is first choice .

[Orange14]

Only caught the last 10 mins ,Kovacs a big strong striker and mainly plays as a sub because Unuvar is first choice .

HIs volley off the cross was worthy of any outstanding senior player.

[SPL]

Beat PSG in the semi, 0-0 but we won on penalties. Yes an Ajax team won penalties. Final at 16.00 CET .v Partizan again.

[Orange14]

2nd half goals from Johnson and Steur give Ajax a well deserved win in the Futures Cup. The U-17s were dominant in the match but things got dicey at the end when the Partizan CB hit a Ronald Koeman rocket that found the back of the net from beyond the box. Ajax held on for the final three minutes to win it. There are some very good players at this level and I look forward to seeing them progress through the system. As Cruyff noted some years ago, Ajax needs to rely on it's youth system above all!!!

[SPL]

Watched until 33 min but Granddaughter arrived so missed the last 2 goals but watched the last minute to make sure we won .
I was going to miss the game and watch local team Worthing but when my son said they could come football takes 2nd place.

Johnson and Steur ,the goalscorers, both quality and with V D Lans our 3 best players but so many look promising and it be good to see who breaks through.

We do need to put the best of this team on contract.The only 3 who are a year younger are Unuvar ,already contracted,Steur ,being offered one plus Achempong who had not yet played for U17 this season but turned down Genk in January and looks a good prospect.

More enjoyable that watching our 1st team . Nice to see Hato and Bergwijn standing amongst the fans.

[SPL]

Our U18 beat Feyenoord U18 3-1 today in Rotterdam and are now almost certain Spring champs. We are 6 points clear of them with 1 to play .They have 2 left but our GD is plus 15 . We then have to play AZ ,autumn champs for the overall champs and a place in the U19 CL next season.