23 Feb 2014: Ajax - AZ

[Kowalczyk]

Eredivisie 2013-2014. Matchday 25.

Kick-off time at the ArenA is 14:30 CET.

Also scheduled for this weekend: FC Twente vs Feyenoord (and NEC vs PSV).

K.

[Orange14]

Interesting that these are the only two teams in the league that are still playing in Europe. AZ play away at a Czech team I've never heard of and of course we are at home to Red Bull. At least our EL match should not have an impact on this particular fixture.

[saddlerian]

......the only two teams in the league that are still playing in Europe. AZ play away at a Czech team I've never heard of .......

Czech team you've never heard of...Liberec....won the league a couple of years ago. They're a steady, top six club, well run....don't really give AZ a prayer against them...strong at home and solid away...low scoring Czech winner.

Ajax are going to have to take a good lead to Salzburg as they seem to score for fun at home, averaging nearly 4 goals a match...away form averages a 3-1 win!!! Not an easy task, but after beating Barcelona, everything's possible!!!

[Orange14]

......the only two teams in the league that are still playing in Europe. AZ play away at a Czech team I've never heard of .......

Czech team you've never heard of...Liberec....won the league a couple of years ago.

I buy a football cap from every city that we visit in Europe so I do have a Sparta Praha cap but have never been to Liberc! LOL! We are going to Croatia in May so I guess I need to get a Dinamo Zagreb cap but don't know if I will after their collapse to Lyon a couple of years ago that cost us the CL berth.

[SPL]

On the subject of our squad Schone is likely to be out for 2 or 3 weeks and Boilesen and Serero miss this game.Given Sana cannot be classed as a first team squad player any more we are now down to a squad of 18 plus Jong Ajax players Kishna and Riedewald.Given Ligeon de Sa V d Hoorn of that 18 have not played that many games you can now see why a long run in the Euro Cup would have put a hugh strain on our small and young squad.

Winning the league should be within our means as the other teams drop more points than we do.

[Tom_]

Reckon they'll line up in a 4-2-4? ;)

[Cruijff]

We're gonna win this one.

[Orange14]

We're gonna win this one.

Let's hope so. Unfortunately, I can only watch the first half as I have a singing engagement with my choir.

[aveslacker]

I'm interested to see how Aron Johannsson fares. I hope Ajax wins, but I hope he plays well.

[souras84]

De Jong again... At least, he's not playing in the midfield. What a CRIME

[SPL]

Trouble is Siggy is the alterantive but at least he has scored a couple of goals since the winter break. Hope Kishna gets on in the 2nd half.

Blind at LB and Poulsen DM is the right thing for this game.

[Orange14]

13th stream looks like it's working today. I'll only be with everyone for the 1st half so there won't be any player ratings today (I know this will be a huge disappointment). I do hope de Jong scores 10 goals so his transfer value goes above Zero.

[SPL]

Siem has replied to his critics

[Orange14]

Well that's number one, he only has nine more to meet my prediction!

[Orange14]

Just what we need another winger with a hamstring pull!

[Tom_]

Late home from my bike ride, just in time to see Fischer limping down the tunnel. What happened?

[Orange14]

Late home from my bike ride, just in time to see Fischer limping down the tunnel. What happened?

He got bumped and stumbled and strained/pulled a hamstring. Hope it's not to serious but probably is out 1-2 weeks minimum.

[Tom_]

Made and missed some great chances in the half hour I've seen, hope they don't cost us this week...

[Orange14]

Ortiz on a Yellow should have been sent off for the reckless tackle of Moisander. We are unlucky not to have two more goals and this may come back to haunt us. Off to sing, so you all better keep cheering the squad on. We need to WIN this one!!!

[rjf1]

What do they have to do to get the ball in the net? Don't convert that many chances and it has a way of coming back to bite you -- let's hope it won't happen today.

[SPL]

Well taken goal by Siem but we have created a few chances and should 3or 4 up now. Hope Fischer is not too badly injured
but Bojan is looking alot better today. We are looking a bit quicker today and pushing the ball more up field .Hope they do not sit back in the 2nd half.

[rjf1]

Hmmm... I'd forgotten how much I can't stand that Dick Advocaat until the camera zoomed in on him bellyaching from the sidelines.

[Van basten]

Nice.

[rjf1]

Finally got the 2nd -- what a relief -- and nicely set up by Siem -- goal and an assist so far -- not bad for everyone's favorite candidate for the rubbish heap.

[zeux]

What a Goal!!!!!