20 Sep 2009: VVV-Venlo - Ajax

[Kowalczyk]

Next league game. Eredivisie, matchday 7. Kick-off time 14:30 CET.

I think VVV-Venlo will end up fighting against relegation, but they've had a remarkable start of the campaign: their first five games all ended in a draw. Which means that yesterday's 1-0 home win against Heracles was their first win of the season, but it also means that they're still unbeaten and (apparaently) a tough nut to crack. They got a point against PSV, for example.

If we manage a win in Venlo we will do good business, no matter what. Feyenoord vs PSV is to be played at the same time. Twente travel to Heerenveen (who are having a very poor start of the season).

AZ play NEC in Alkmaar on Saturday evening. Normally I'd expect them to win, but they have a tough Champions League match on Wednesday (Olympiakos Piraeus in Greece), so it will be interesting to see what happens.

K.

[Van basten]

Ajax Coach Martin Jol Hopes For Easy Victory Against VVV

The Ajax gaffer is looking forward to the match against VVV...

Eredivisie powerhouse Ajax recorded an impressive 6-0 win against NAC Breda last week and the Amserdam side are keen to continue their fine form against VVV on Sunday. Head coach Martin Jol has set his sights on a quick opener in order to secure an easy win.

"I want us to grab an early lead in order to secure an easy victory. It will be difficult for us if we do not score a quick opener. VVV have a good team and have not lost so far," said Jol at the pre-match press conference.

"They have good individual players such as Keisuke Honda and Ruben Schaken. Additionally, they have shown that they know how to fight back after falling behind. I hope that they will not cause us too many problems.

"Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen have been quite impressive as centre backs so far. I had never expected them to develop like this. They are very much likely part of the starting XI again."

[Ajaxfanuk]

Nec Beat AZ in Alkmaar! Didnt see that one coming, hopefully PSV n the Kakkerlakken draw tomorrow, and we get a win and Woosh top of the table...if my maths is correct and twente fuck up!

[Monkey Tonk]

Tough game.

The Jol comment suggests as much. 'If we don't get an early lead, we're in trouble'. Not exactly an exact quote, but not exactly a vote of confidence in his team either.

One thing is for sure. VVV scores a whole lot lower on the fluff-factor scale than Ajax. I'm afraid that the VVV-ers will come to battle their hearts out and that Ajax will not meet that intensity. Why should they? It's only VVV...

True. It is only VVV. But these are the games in which a championship is either won or lost. If the players understand that, Ajax will be fine.

[aveslacker]

Tough game.

The Jol comment suggests as much. 'If we don't get an early lead, we're in trouble'. Not exactly an exact quote, but not exactly a vote of confidence in his team either.

One thing is for sure. VVV scores a whole lot lower on the fluff-factor scale than Ajax. I'm afraid that the VVV-ers will come to battle their hearts out and that Ajax will not meet that intensity. Why should they? It's only VVV...

True. It is only VVV. But these are the games in which a championship is either won or lost. If the players understand that, Ajax will be fine.

Agree - it's against the VVVs and NECs that Ajax seems to stumble and cost themselves the title. Let's hope Jol's got these guys taking things more seriously this year. In that sense, this will be a test for them.

[Kowalczyk]

AZ lost again. Feyenoord and PSV to play each other... Tough away game for Twente...

We can do excellent business today. Come on Ajax!

K.

[Kowalczyk]

Line-up:

Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Emanuelson; Kennedy, De Zeeuw, Anita, Aissati; Cvitanich, Suarez.

Only change compared to the line-up against Timisoara: Anita instead of De Jong.

K.

[rjf1]

Line-up:...Only change compared to the line-up against Timisoara: Anita instead of De Jong...

From the limited number of games that I have seen so far, I would prefer De Jong to Anita. Seems stronger on the ball and can shoot. Anita hasn't really impressed me so far this year.

[ZoefdeHaas]

And he's leftback..ah well. Let's win this game!!

[Orange14]

Nice to see these small quaint staiums with the fans waving flags and all. Lots of singing before the match but we need to keep focused!!

[Ajaxfanuk]

anyone got a decent link?

[rjf1]

Jol got that early goal he was hoping for!! Let's hope that's a sign of lots more to come.

[shinnyplayer]

0-1 Suarez

[Orange14]

Great pass from Dario splitting the defense and Suarez with the header, 1=0

[ZoefdeHaas]

Suarez 1-0

Sorry I;m looking for a link myself...mehhh

[souras84]

yeeeees... lets not get carried away now!

[shinnyplayer]

anyone got a decent link?

NVS6 [74179] works great!

[rjf1]

anyone got a decent link?

Rojadirecta (www.rojadirecta.org) has good links via sopcast -- 74176

[Ajaxfanuk]

Thanks!

[Philippe]

already 0-1 for us, well done Luis !

[Ajaxfanuk]

I feel very stupid...ive just realised Kennedy isnt number 7 anymore...its taken me all season to realise...poor showing from me I know but who is number 7 now?

[souras84]

seems that psv are cruisin' in rotterdam

[aveslacker]

My stream just died.

[rjf1]

My stream just died.

The 74179 stream seems to be more stable than the 74176 -- at least it is for me.

[aveslacker]

My stream just died.

The 74179 stream seems to be more stable than the 74176 -- at least it is for me.

Thanks.