Saturday, July 28, 2007

Last Gasp Equaliser

Welcome to the Arena. Ajax have seven players who did not play over the weekend. Klompe in goal, Ferronomo, Michele, de Bruijn and van Kijns on the right. Battaglia, Flannen and Tokiwa in midfield. Kafka, Thiers and Sofronie in attack.

Interestingly, van Kijns did not play in the 1-1 draw with Heracles. It is the first time in the league this season that he did not start even when available.

That just shows how much Huysegem values this game. He took a risk on that game, left out van Kijns, Flannen, Battaglia, Tokiwa, Thiers and Sofronie. Ferronomo also did not play in that game. And the draw saw their lead at the Eredivisie cut to 3 points.

Well, I am quite surprised that Ferronomo is starting this match. I thought Santiago Sarossa would be preferred for his experience.

Another risk, perhaps?

A free-kick in a dangerous position. Inostroza stands over it. Inostroza goes for it…GOAL!

Superb free-kick. Klompe had no chance. It went around the wall, curled back into the net. What a free-kick.
And so Barcelona takes the lead on the hour.

20 minutes to go. No sign of activity on the Ajax bench.

If he wants to make a change, now is the time.

I don’t know, but I think maybe Huysegem should consider bringing in Yusuf. He is not your typical winger. He gets in behind the defence to score. He is tricky, wily, unpredictable. They call him the ‘Desert Fox’. I thought he could provide another option here.

Thiers on another rampaging run. They just can’t stop him. He sends the ball to the far post…Kafka! Oh, he just missed the ball by that little.

Well, I wouldn’t know who to take off, if I were Huysegem. In Thiers, you always have a potential match winner, because he is so good taking on the defenders, he is so confident, he is so quick, so skilful, and packs a good shot, he can produce a moment of magic. On the other hand, Kafka is another classy player, so good with crosses. He is pure technique, pure technique.

Three styles to choose from, he has chosen the explosive Thiers and the cultured Kafka. The flamboyant Yusuf will stay on the bench.

Free-kick for Ajax. Now, this is a good position to send in a good cross. Tokiwa chips it in…de Bruijn stabs it home! It’s 1-1! 5 minutes to go, Ajax have equalized.

Perfect delivery, just like a training scenario. Look at it again, lots of bodies, but de Bruijn stretched and got to it. Poked it in. Poacher goal for the defender.
It’s all over. Ajax have to go to Barcelona and score. A 0-0 draw will mean Barcelona go to the Final on away goals. And obviously, if Barcelona scores and Ajax doesn’t, Barcelona will win the tie. So, the equation is simple for Ajax. Go to the Nou Camp and score.

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