Eredivisie: Ajax ten moral winner in exciting clash with PSV: 2-2
26 October: PSV vs Ajax was not a good, but a thoroughly enjoyable game. It had a grim, sometimes very violent first half, in which several players from both sides would have deserved a red card, but Ajax captain Rafaël van der Vaart was the only one to get one. Ajax was the better side in the first half, but under pressure in the second. Nevertheless, the ten from Amsterdam equalized twice (Wesley Sonck and Zlatan Ibrahimovic) for a 2-2 final score. Ajax thereby recaptured the top slot on the Eredivisie table, which it now shares with next week's spectacularly over-achieving opponent: AZ from Alkmaar. Match Report
Knee injury to keep Trabelsi sidelined for at least six weeks
23 October: The day after Ajax's win over Celta de Vigo (1-0) it turns out that the Amsterdammers paid a price for the three points: Hatem Trabelsi, who had to be replaced by Nigel de Jong after 64 minutes, appears to have sustained a minor tear in his medial ligament. The recovery is expected to take at least six weeks, possibly eight or even ten. Read
Champions League: Ajax jump to top of group with 1-0 victory
22 October: After a cautious first half against Celta de Vigo, Ajax shifted gears in the opening minutes of the second half and claimed the lead on a fine individual-effort goal from Zlatan Ibrahimovic (53'). Celta responded with an increased urgency that also led to physical play and theatrics: two of their five second-half yellow cards were for dives in the penalty area. However, the visitors could not overcome a committed Ajax defense. Meanwhile, cup holders AC Milan were surprised at San Siro by Club Brugge, 0-1, allowing Ajax to jump to the top of the group. Match Report
February 2004: 'Ajax USA rendezvous in Amsterdam'
Come one, come all, as the Ajax USA 'old guard' return to Amsterdam for some more Ajax action at the Amsterdam Arena and De Toekomst. You're absolutely welcome to join us! Read
Ajax... 15 Years Ago: October 1988
01 October: The outraged F-Side seems to have calmed down a bit now coach Kurt Linder and the entire Ajax board have disappeared from the stage. However, times are still more troubled than ever. Read
News Links
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My money's on United and Ajax to clean up
26 October: I'm out in America at the moment, keeping a close eye on the gee-gees, but I'm not so far away that I can't take careful note of European developments this week. The Sentinal (UK)
PSV, Ajax missing key players in showdown
23 October: Dutch premier league rivals Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven will likely both miss key players during the teams' crucial meeting in Eindhoven Sunday, the teams said. Sports Illustrated
Ajax alert to Celta danger
21 October: Group H seems to be panning out as the tightest of the eight UEFA Champions League pools, so giving the visit of RC Celta de Vigo to AFC Ajax clear significance. UEFA.com
Blow for U23 Team As Pienaar Withdraws
17 October: The national U23 soccer side's hopes of qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens were dealt a blow yesterday when Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Steven Pienaar was withdrawn from the squad at the eleventh hour. Business Day
News Links Archive
| THEY SAID IT |
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26 October:
"I will try to also talk about the actual football, but this will not take long."
- Ronald Koeman after the 'football war' between PSV and Ajax.
"No, I did not see the difference between the Kezman-Van As [ADO Den Haag - PSV, 04 October, ed.] and Ibrahimovic-Hofland duels. In both cases I saw no irregularities in it. I want to be fair about that. Zlatan was higher than Hofland. Where else would he have to leave his arm?"
- PSV coach Guus Hiddink about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's alleged elbow-hit against kevin Hofland.
"I no longer do stupid things on the pitch (...) I am tall and I jumped higher than Hofland. I was hanging in the air when he jumped up against me. I went for the ball and I won the air duel. I didn't even see Hofland. I am absolutely convinced that this footage will not lead to a case for the disciplinary committee."
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic about his air duel with PSV's Kevin Hofland.
"The teams showed absolutely no respect for each other. I should have kept it tighter. Apparently there are no values in football anymore."
- Referee Erik Braamhaar about the violent top fixture in Eindhoven.
"Everyone will have to seriously think about their own behaviour. The first half was not exactly football promotion. When we see that fight back on TV tonight we will all have to be a little ashamed of ourselves."
- PSV goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus. |
| QUOTE ARCHIVE >> |
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