08 APR 2018; Ajax - Heracles; Match Day 30

[Orange14]

Five matches to go and seven points to make up, can Ajax somehow pull a rabbit out of a hat? Our intrepid football team comes off a very poor performance against Groningen with another must win match. It's the final match of the weekend and we will already know if this sliver of a chance is still realistic as PSV travel to Alkmaar on Satuday. If PSV don't spill points in that match I think the title race is over.

Dolberg has been training with the first team and may be in the selection on Sunday. Veltman is suspended and Wöber missed training yesterday because of illness. The Austrian's availability for Sunday is questionable. The other long term injured players are still out.

[Ayman]

The title race will be over, if Ajax drop any points from now till the end, especially against PSV, that is a must win game, if Ajax fail to win that, then it's over, don't forget, PSV have away games to Roda JC (Battling for their
Eredivisie lives) and Den Haag (battling for a Europa league play off place) and finally at home to Groningen, (battling to steer clear from the relegation play offs), their last game is tricky, funnily enough. But as long as Ajax win away at PSV, and PSV drop points against two of their last three games, then that would be the best and likely case scenario.

[Ayman]

The AZ vs PSV game is exciting end to end stuff. AZ dominating but PSV with two golden chances, they hit the post.

[SPL]

Well after AZ giving it away the season is now over.No point in saying PSV are lucky we have ourselves to blame.Too many dropped points against moderate sides. Vitesse twice,Heracles away,ADO at home,Twente away and dont mention Utrecht! 3 points from those 7 games means we are finishing 2nd.

Not helped by the following:

Selling Sanchez after the season started and not buying an experienced replacement.And no left back!

Getting an inexperienced coach in Keizer.

Having had a good run up to Christmas we then get rid of Keizer and replace him with someone worse.We have gone backwards.

Shambles of Younes.

Out of our control .

The press talk up all our kids ,who have not achieved anything.Everyday where is de Ligt and Kluivert going.It is great having local kids but if we are just going to sell them after a couple of seasons and not win anything whats the point.

Finally July 8th in Austria.That day hangs over our season.

This summer we will see players leave and we will need to start rebuilding. Onana Veltman Ziyech Viergever Younes Dijks all going. de Ligt and Kluivert also.Tagliafico also if he has a good WC.

We need to buy some experience and not just kids. Bande and Schuurs are talents but wont win a title yet.

[Ayman]

Tagliafico leaving after half a season? That's a bit of a stretch isn't it?

[SPL]

Hope not but I read that if he has a good Wc he could move.

[Amol]

For some reason Oz isn't showing the game here in the US. Back on illegal streams again. So much joy!

[rjf1]

Well, it looks for sure that the title is out of the question what with PSV beating AZ -- but on the bright side, it gives us the opportunity to cement our hold on 2nd place and Champions League play for next year. We'll see if the boys take advantage of it.

[SPL]

Sky had this as red button but decided not to show it .So its Illegal stream for the first time this season. livetv is working well at the moment,no commentary

[rjf1]

Russian Acestream feed is coming in smooth and clear if anyone is interested.

[Ayman]

Russian Acestream feed is coming in smooth and clear if anyone is interested.

link please

[Orange14]

Seems like we had about thirty shots on goal and it was really bad luck that at least one of them didn't go in. Three hit the crossbar and another three or so were well saved. A little bit dicey when Heracles broke out but they couldn't put a shot on frame. Let's hope that the ball goes in during the second half!!

[rjf1]

Russian Acestream feed is coming in smooth and clear if anyone is interested.

link please

site: http://livetv.sx/enx/eventinfo/646175_ajax_heracles/
stream link address: acestream://680ac6f202ba2162d4cabeae3e457d3789caf0ae

[Orange14]

I won't have a chance to do player ratings until later today as my choral group is singing in a benefit concert right after the match so I have to head out right when the whistle blows.

[Amol]

When is that damn ball going to go into the Heracles net?

[Amol]

Finally!!

1-0!

[Ayman]

Finally, Neres 1-0, they really are a stubborn side

[rjf1]

Finally we get the goal that has been coming from the opening whistle -- I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come. Ziyech (have to give him his due), put a perfect long ball into the box for Neres to make a nice finish on.

[Amol]

Siem De Jong coming on for Kristensen. Why put extra pressure on De Ligt when he is on 4 yellow cards?

[Ayman]

Siem De Jong coming on for Kristensen. Why put extra pressure on De Ligt when he is on 4 yellow cards?

Tagliafico is also on 4 yellow cards. Gosh! We can't have them both missing the big game next week!

[Orange14]

How have we NOT scored at least eight goals????????????????????????

[rjf1]

MOM is the Heracles goal keeper.

[SPL]

Relief we won and I got a very good stream,good picture no freezing.

Not sure how we did not score about 7 or 8 goals. No idea why Siem came on as Donny then went out to cover RB .

Glad to see Dolberg back and KJH looks like he has an ankle injury.

[Orange14]

I just got back from our joint concert to raise money for the center that helps the poor and homeless. I don't feel much like doing ratings but will give my overall impressions.

Ajax had plenty of attacking opportunities an should have scored anywhere from 6-8 goals. Some players were wasteful with their shots, wildly missing the target (Klivert & Ziyech); others were unlucky (van de Beek twice). Ajax were never pressed and it was pretty easy for them to bring the ball into the attacking third of the pitch. Passing was OK but could be a little faster which might have given some more openings. Clearly there was a lot of good play on offense other than the lack of finishing.

Ajax did not have to play much defense as Heracles saw so little of the ball. I think there were only two opportunities for Heracles that were both wasted by shots that didn't even come close and I'm not sure that Onana even gets a save in this match. Eight points up on AZ so I think 2nd place is 'almost' secure (with this team you never know).

MOTM for me was Neres who was lively all match long. I wish Eiting would have come in for Schöne who clearly can only play about 50 minutes these days. Kristensen was better today but still has defensive liabilities. I wish we had brought in Tagliafico last summer it would have made a difference. Pressing was very good all game long.

[Orange14]

Pass maps and expected goals are here: https://www.ajaxlife.nl/updates/passmap ... jaher-1718 by the statistics Ajax should have had four goals. Pass maps show all the concentration up front and very little passing within Onana and the two central defenders.