20 JAN 2019; Ajax - Heerenveen; Match Day 19

[Orange14]

Here is a real oddity. Ajax have two home matches against Heerenveen in a week's time. This Sunday Ajax open up the second half of the league campaign and then take on the visitors yet again in the Beker on the 24th. Ajax had some good training matches in the Florida Cup and should have a healthy squad to begin the effort to overtake PSV for the championship. CL football starts next month against Real Madrid.

[SPL]

Back to the real thing again today and I hope to get a decent stream after that Utrecht game. Tagliafico missing today.

[kezme44]

here's the big break we've been waiting for. emmen score twice in the last 10 minutes to play 2-2 against eindhoven

[rjf1]

Lowly Emmen scored two goals in the last 10 minutes and extra time to pull out a 2-2 draw with PSV -- a win tonight puts us level on points and we would go ahead of them on goal difference. Here's looking at a win!!!

[Orange14]

Nice goal

[rjf1]

Short corner -- cross into the box -- Tadic puts it away -- and we're on our way!!

[Orange14]

Crap goal

[rjf1]

No sooner than the time it took to post Tadic's goal, and we give it right back to them -- didn't get very far on our way -- ugh!

[Orange14]

Tadic!!

[rjf1]

Long pin point upfield pass to Tadic by Blind -- Tadic to Ziyech -- back to Tadic for a terrific finish -- and we're on our way again.

[rjf1]

Free kick into the box -- ball bounces a mile into the air -- goalie comes but can't get through the logjam as the ball comes down -- de Ligt heads it into the empty net.

[Orange14]

Nice save by Hahn on the Tadic PK. Other than the goal that was conceded early on, Ajax are playing well. Need to keep the pressure on. I'm not convinced by Lamprou and we do need a good back up keeper.

[rjf1]

VdBeek gets pulled down in the box -- Tadic to take the penalty -- and fails to put it away -- and so ends the half.

[Amol]

Unlucky to miss from the PK spot in the final minute.

We seem to be in total control of the game - except for that one minute after our first goal. We lost focus and let them score an equalizer.

Absolutely amazing that Emmem have done us a huge favor against The Lightbulbs.

[Amol]

And then we let in another one from an almost half hearted shot from outside the box. Is Lamprou really that bad or am I missing something?

[rjf1]

Well -- you could see that goal coming -- too much futzing around and not enough concentration on closing out the game.

[Amol]

WTF. 3-3??

Sinkgraven caught up with the Heerenveen player and then seemed to switch off for a couple seconds - as if not knowing what to do next. Bizarre.

[Tom_]

Ten minutes that Sinkgraven won’t want to put on his CV. Both times he let his opponent walk into the box and place the ball in the far corner unchecked. Now we’re chasing the game again

[Amol]

YEEEEESSSSSS!!!!!! GOOOOAAAALLLL!!!! HUNTEEELLAAARRR!!!

[rjf1]

The Hunter comes through! Now let's see if we can close it out.

[King Litti]

With the chances we had, this was a deserved goal. Hunter to the rescue. Took it down nicely and a calm finnish

[Tom_]

Oh god. What a waste.

[King Litti]

You just can't consede 4 goals and expect to win. This tie might come back to haunt us. Is Onana injured?

[Amol]

This was deserved for Heerenveen. For their last goal, our entire midfield block seemed to go missing and the clearance led to the corner.

Lamprou totally saved us on the 93rd minute with 2 saves though. But in hindsight - he should've saved at least one from their 2nd or 3rd goal.

Frustrating.

[Amol]

You just can't consede 4 goals and expect to win. This tie might come back to haunt us. Is Onana injured?

I heard that Onana was sick or had bad headaches or something.