12 Apr 2006: Ajax - Vitesse

[Kowalczyk]

The second game that the attendees of Ajax USA's Rendezvous in Amsterdam 2006 will attend!

It is also the last home game of the 'normal' Eredivisie (not counting the play-offs). I think we will get to say goodbye to all the departing players: Pienaar, Trabelsi, Galásek, Vonk, Boukhari, etc. Will be a nice one. The last home game of the season is normally something special.

K.

[Kowalczyk]

Okay, here's the situation.

This game might be decisive: Groningen vs Utrecht is played at the exact same time as Ajax vs Vitesse. If Utrecht win in Groningen and Ajax beat Vitesse, we'll be officially qualified for the play-offs as the #5.

However, it won't be easy, as this game is crucial for Vitesse, too. I didn't really realize, but it is actually very important for them to go for a win. They are 11th at the moment, but can still finish 9th, which will give them access to the play-offs for numbers 6 to 9, in which one UEFA Cup slot will be at stake.

A win at the ArenA would work both ways for them: they will climb on the table, while Ajax might crash out of the top 5. If Ajax finish 6th they will not play any play-off games at all (because they're already qualified for the UEFA Cup as a cup finalist) and the play-offs for one UEFA Cup slot will go between numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the table.

Capiche? :smartass:

In other words: This is a really big game for Vitesse and for that reason I expect it to be a more difficult one than AZ. AZ had many chances and could have won on Sunday, but you could feel that they've already qualified and only played for 'the honour'. They were not 100% determined. Vitesse will be, for sure, and the sad truth is that every with nothing to lose and a healthy fighting spirit can give Ajax one helluva hard time.

K.

[Dubbel]

This game might be decisive: Groningen vs Utrecht is played at the exact same time as Ajax vs Vitesse. If Utrecht win in Groningen and Ajax beat Vitesse, we'll be officially qualified for the play-offs as the #5.

If, and I stress 'IF', we beat Vitesse then a draw for Utrecht in Groningen gives us certainty of at least 5th place.

Any news on the possibility of Wesley Sneijder starting on the bench against Vitesse? :eusa_pray:

[Ayman]

Vitesse will put up a brave fight but will show why they are in the bottom half of the league. Ajax 2-0 Vitesse

[DrDuncan]

Fortunately Stijn Vreven left Vitesse in the winter break... otherwise it would be a dirty fight as well as a brave one.

And I hope Groningen beat Utrecht - that would make 4th Ajax 5th Groningen 6th Utrecht a possibility (depending on last match results) - which would be a good end to a poor league season.

[Kowalczyk]

Confirmed now on VI.nl: Wesley Sneijder will be in the squad for tomorrow's game. I don't think he'll start, but it's a safe bet he'll see action.

John Heitinga and Nicolae Mitea made their respective comebacks against AZ, Edgar Manucharyan played for Young Ajax yesterday evening and has been declared fit.

Urby Emanuelson and Zdenek Grygera still injured, but expected back quite soon. Seems like we'll have our full squad in the play-offs... if we qualify.

K.

[ZoefdeHaas]

Can we expect Schilder on the left again? He did rather well.

[dws]

Can we expect Schilder on the left again? He did rather well.

:yes:

Schilder had quite an impressive game on Sunday ...... 2 important interventions: the goal line clearance and the tackle on Ikedia. :xyxthumbs:

[Venezuelan Ajacied]

i have a feeling they will win this one rather easaly, why you may ask ????? Because their gonna give me a big Birthday Present !!!!! :bis: :eusa_dance: :yes: :alc:

[dws]

i have a feeling they will win this one rather easaly, why you may ask ????? Because their gonna give me a big Birthday Present !!!!! :bis: :eusa_dance: :yes: :alc:

You should never make such a Birthday wish :nooo:
I made a Birthday wish for Holland to beat France on WED Nov 18 1981 ....... they lost and failed to qualify for Spain '82 as a result. :sad:

[ajaxperu]

dws wrote:

You should never make such a Birthday wish
I made a Birthday wish for Holland to beat France on WED Nov 18 1981 ....... they lost and failed to qualify for Spain '82 as a result.

True that. I've been making wishes like that and my country hasnt qualified for a world cup since 1982. Then I wished we started having good players and here comes Farfan who helped PSV a lot this past two years :nooo: So I no longer wish hehe.
I liked Schilder against AZ I think he should stay there on the left for this game. I also think Babel has become a really important substitute so his presence at least in the second half is necessary. Maybe we can see Sneijder fit for this game that should be really cool.

[Dubbel]

The second game that the attendees of Ajax USA's Rendezvous in Amsterdam 2006 will attend!

The presence of the Ajax USA lot seems to bring us good fortune. Let's see if they can pull another one. It would be ever so nice to have qualified for the PO at least one match in advance.

[FlaFlu]

So far Ajax seems to be playing poorly and Groningen has taken the lead against Utrecht, which puts them level with us on points. :sad:

[DrDuncan]

Ajax 0 Vitesse 1. Down to 6th place?

[aveslacker]

Bye bye Danny? :nooo:

[Ayman]

1-1 KLAAS JAN HUNTELAAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! MY DARLING!!! He has done it again

[Ayman]

2-1...........AJAX HAVE TURNED IT AROUND, THIS TIME ITS ANGELOS CHARISTEAS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dubbel]

Pffff, 2-1 victory, talk about a dead man walking!

[Ayman]

Whats wrong with you guys we should be celebrating, its soley about the play offs, but now we are 4th we can play F***noord :eusa_dance: We got unfinished business with those suckers!!!!

[SPL]

Great result ,sitting here thinking the worst then the mighty Hunter strikes and the winner in 93 mins.Magic. I think we need a draw on Sunday and then its playoffs. I predict we will win them.

[DrDuncan]

I am celebrating, but I'm not gonna be fooled into thinking Blind should stay.

[aveslacker]

I am celebrating, but I'm not gonna be fooled into thinking Blind should stay.

Agreed.

[aveslacker]

2-1...........AJAX HAVE TURNED IT AROUND, THIS TIME ITS ANGELOS CHARISTEAS!!!!!!!!!!!

EINAI TRELLOS! EINAI TRELLOS O ANGELOS EINAI TRELLOS!!!

(Once sung by Panathinaikos fans about Jari Litmanen after he sunk Olympiakos back in the day. Translates to: He is crazy, he is crazy, Angelos, he is crazy. Substitute "O FINLANDOS (the Finnish guy)" for "Angelos" and that's how they sang it back then.)

[SE6Ajacied]

My gawd, talk about the last minute show (again!). I spent all evening avoiding the result to watch the Talpa highlights "live".

Has anyone produced any stats of how many points/games we've won/drawn in the last 5 minutes this season?

I know the Den Haag game was an exception but we do seem to leave it so very very late...........

[orange goblin]

mighty angelos, let's keep this guy with us next year