27 Feb 2013: Ajax - AZ

[Kowalczyk]

KNVB Cup, Semi Final.

Kick-off time at the Amsterdam ArenA: 20.45 CET.

The other semi final is PEC Zwolle vs PSV, to be played on the same day at 18.45 CET.

Final at De Kuip in Rotterdam is on 13 May.

K.

[Cruijff]

13 May is not correct I think? As the last Eredivisie Matchday is on 12 May...

...Anyway, two section 418 tickets available for this one for 12,50 euros each.

Edit: KNVB Bekerfinale is on Thursday 9 May. On Ascension Day.

[Tom_]

Dijks, Serero, Lukoki, Boerrigter and Hoesen all on the pitch (and Cilessen as usual). Blind, Eriksen, de Jong, Fischer and Kolbeinn rested.

[Tom_]

Anyone actually watching? Pretty dull stuff. Our B-squad doesn't look like they're going to break through the defense anytime soon. AZ are sitting back and waiting for their chances on the counter, which is a sensible way to play against us, all things considered...

[King Litti]

Eriksen doesn't always play at the level we would want, but now that he is missing, I see how important he is. Serero not looking that good.

[SPL]

I am watching but although firstrow picture is fine its in arabic so watching with no sound.Pretty dull game so far.

[Orange14]

Very little offense for either team at the half. Moisander toed a corner kick, hitting the post and Boerrigter stung a shot cutting across the middle that Esteban parried but that was about it. Dijks is controlling Berrens very well and our defense has yet to be really tested. Altidore is leaving early on the high line. Serero continues to puzzle, I'm not convinced he is the quality player for this side; he's not quite as static as de Jong in midfield but doesn't seem to know what to do when he has the ball. Lukoki continues to think he is the greatest winger in the world capable of beating any double team; he is wrong. Hoesen is holding the ball up well but has no options when it's at his feet.

We will see whether FdB sticks with this 11 in the second half. Surely he doesn't want to go to extra time!

[souras84]

Yes you are right guys. Something's missing. And it's sure as hell it ain't De Jong

[Orange14]

Yes you are right guys. Something's missing. And it's sure as hell it ain't De Jong

Watch FdB bring him in as the first substitute!

[SPL]

just found sopcast MM4 is working ,I can follow Dutch so hope for a decent stream and decent footy in the 2nd half

[Tom_]

AZ defense looks very comfortable. Serero seems to be getting pushed about a lot, Hoesen hasn't had enough of the ball, Lukoki up to his old "run full speed and hope for the best" tricks.

Yeah, Dijks seems like a good defender. He's a big lad too. What's the deal with left backs at the moment? Next season we potentially have to choose from Dijks, Blind, Boilesen and Koppers...

PS Souras—enough disrespecting our leading goal scorer ;)

[Tom_]

Yes you are right guys. Something's missing. And it's sure as hell it ain't De Jong

Watch FdB bring him in as the first substitute!

Right, that's it. I'm starting the official AT English section Siem de Jong fanclub, who wants to join?

[souras84]

hahahahahaha

I don't have a big problem with Siem... when he's playing no. 9
I can't stand him in the middle 3.

[souras84]

I believe its a textbook 1-0 game. Whoever scores will win. Don't say thats obvious
I know!!

[Tom_]

Yeah. I rather like his style of play, but truth be told he's neither quick and skilled enough for an attacking midfielder nor big and strong enough for #9.

I actually think the problem with our midfield is the lack of a playmaking defensive midfielder. Poulsen makes us too slow. Without him, we move the ball really nicely—but with Eriksen-Schöne-de Jong we're vulnerable. We definitely miss Anita...

I also don't think Fischer should be on the wing, but I expect he'll make a good replacement for Eriksen when he moves on.

[Tom_]

I believe its a textbook 1-0 game. Whoever scores will win. Don't say thats obvious
I know!!

Well, there it is

[Orange14]

Poor defending but a nice cross by Maher. That should about put the end to our dreams of this trophy.

[souras84]

Everything started from an offside position. Anyway, we turn out to be as incompetent as I thought we'd be.
Maher was missing all the game and we gave him an assist.

[Cedric]

They will manage to waste the whole season in a week...

[Tom_]

Wasn't a good couple of weeks to be an Ajax fan, was it?

[souras84]

Some serious referee mistakes. HUGE

[souras84]

Plus I hate Verbeek VERY MUCH.

[souras84]

I am sorry, I made a wrong prediction!!! That was painful

[Orange14]

What a depressing display of football this was. Maybe Schöne can be complimented for putting 100% into the match but it's darn hard finding anyone else who was worthy. More schoolboy defending and again totally clueless about how to break down the AZ defense which quite frankly wasn't all that good. Serero and Lukoki (don't know why Sana has dropped off the map, he's a better winger) are clearly just not good enough at this level and need to move on. van Rhijn needs to get his head in the game, never give up the inside as in the case with Gudmundsson's goal (and the fact that the hand ball wasn't called is irrelevant). Disgusting and I have no aspirations of this team defeating Twente on Saturday.

[orange goblin]

Crisis is official now.
We are simply not the same as before the winter break.
Call it a moment of weakness after the effort of reducing the gap in the Eredivisie, or give the campaign in Brazil the cause, or finally give the cause to the lack of experience in handling those moments.
But we are not the same.
Weak, not accurate, (the same) ridicolous defensive mistakes. plus no one gives the impression to take a responsability.