Injuries at Ajax lead to “realism”
November 5, 2008
The contrast is telling. Marco van Basten gave his players a day off after the victory over Twente (2-0). Earlier on in the season, Ajax lost against Heerenveen and made the players come back after the match. Some internationals had booked flights out to their countries for international duties; they were told to re-schedule.
What was the difference between the two games? Van Basten: “In Heerenveen there was no cohesion in the team. Against Twente, we played as a unit. I’m proud of them. We miss a couple of players due to injuries, things aren’t going our way really but they managed to put their act together.”
Against Twente, Ajax missed ten players, including the suspended Suarez, who had a hand (foot) in 60% of all Ajax goals till then.
When Ajax misses four starters, the core of the team is hurt and Van Basten will need to come up with significant changes. Klaas Jan Huntelaar admitted: “We played unlike Ajax here. I prefer to play dominant football, but this feels good anyhow. We grab six points against Heracles and Twente with all those injured players. It’s not easy.”
Huntelaar wants to become the champion this season, and he wasn’t dissatisfied with his replacement in the 70st minute, when Evander Sno took his position.
“I was totally empty. Buggered. Twente is a very strong team, they play a fast positioning game and they start at the back, so as a striker you make many miles to disrupt their build up.”
Sno played an excellent last 20 minutes. The strong and tall player was able to hold on to balls and direct the play. And like four days earlier against Heracles, Sno had the decisive assist for the winner.
Midfielder Sno played central striker before, in De Haan’s U21 Oranje team. Van Basten tested the former Feyenoord and Celtic player on that spot in the Ajax B-team and Sno had scored 4 times. He seems to be the ideal targetman, as pinchhitter. A type of player Ajax didn’t have.
Ajax played a tight and tough defensive match against Twente, who appeared to be able to win the game if they’d been more decisive in their final actions.
Ajax was able to keep the naught for the third time in four games since conceding 5 goals against Heerenveen.
Van Basten’s new realism was born out of the many injuries, but it seems to pay dividends…
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Feyenoord impresses…
November 3, 2008
Ok, you know I’m a fan… But I got to watch them play the full 90 minutes last night against Roda JC ( 0-4 victory), so I can judge Feyenoord better than I can, say, Ajax or AZ…
The good thing about seeing Feyenoord play (and win) was that to me, it’s clear Feyenoord is not in trouble. The players and technical staff didn’t look like a bunch of people in crisis. Verbeek was smiling, cool and collected and the players never hid themselves, never seemed agitated or scared…
Apart from a mediocre and tense first 20 minutes, Feyenoord kind of impressed me…
And sure: Roda JC played weak (they played at home) and sure, Liverpool or Arsenal or Inter Milan play much much much better football on bad days than Feyenoord on a good day… I know all that…
But, with the youngsters Fer, Biseswar and Wijnaldum in midfield, the (to me) unkown El Ahmadi next to Gio and lost son Dwight Tiendali back in the squad (he came on for the injured Greene) I don’t think Feyenoord has to worry…
Serginho Greene is not the man for right back. Full backs need to…well…be able to play football and Greene is horrible on the ball. Tiendali will without a doubt start the next game and hopefully will keep even Lucius on the bench. Tiendali sees the game well, is tough in the challenges and most importantly, he can engage himself in build up. Remember, this Ajax-developed talent moved to FC Utrecht and played an impressive campaign with Foppe de Haan’s U21 champions team. Feyenoord signed him and when the youngster had some mistakes in his first match, the fans hated him. Their actions and boo-ing made him so insecure that he asked to be allowed to leave. Feyenoord loaned him out and this season Verbeek said he didn’t need him. But he also said he’d give him a chance to prove the coach wrong. Well, Gertjan, here you go… Good to see him back!!
Then there’s El Ahmadi… Man, how I enjoyed his game! He reminds me of Redondo and Senna. The agile, smart, lightfooted holding midfielders… His head is always up, reading the game. His first touch is impeccable. He is quick, tough in the challenges and he can take on one or two opponents at the time, having had two wonderful dribbles in to the box (resulting in one goal…). A guy to keep an eye on!
Wijnaldum was the man, though. He led, he pushed up, he took on opponents, he tried to score from distance, he was everywhere. Only 17 years old… I remember one Vanenburg, Rijkaard, Seedorf making their entrance at that age and see what they ended up doing for Oranje?
According to Verbeek, Wijnaldum was a broken man after the Sparta defeat, but the youngster pulled himself together and played like a seasoned pro. Like Captain Gerrard can, or Guti or Ballack. Wonderful to see. Scoring one, preparing one with a big solo and giving a “lucky” assist to Fer… No wonder he got his applause-replacement.
Makaay was invisible most of the times, but did score a scorcher in the second half (on the edge of the box, slamming the ball in one go against the cross bar, bouncing into the net).
Gio van Bronckhorst deserves a mention too, every pass was pitchperfect and had an idea behind it, while Kevin Hofland ruled at the back.
Even Luigi Bruins, subbed for Fer/Biseswar, came on to show his velvetty touches where ever he could.
Me thinks the future is still bright in Rotterdam….
For more comments on the Dutch Eredivisie: meet me at http://eredivisie.theoffside.com
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Ruud among the best of the world! (Where’s Ed??)
October 30, 2008
Ruud auditions for the sequel to the Hulk: “No Sar?? Don’t make me hungry, you won’t like me when I’m hungryyyyYYYYY!!!!!!”
While the Dutch behemoth Feyenoord keeps plodding along in the domestic competition (see http://eredivisie.theoffside.com for breaking news!!) and Van Gol successor Huntelaar found the net twice, it’s our boys abroad who keep the fire going for us Oranje fans.
One former (and possibly future) Oranje striker is part of the Elite. The FIFA has picked 23 players and nominated them World Player of the Year 2008. Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy is the only Dutch player nominated.
Which begs the question: which FIFA official decided to omit Edwin van der Sar??? He won the CL, he won the title in England, he excelled in the EC2008…. I mean…. Geez…
But still, the powers that be know better than us mere mortals, so on with it.
Spain seems to be the leader in the group, with six players from the EC-winner. All team managers and captains are allowed to vote. In the beginning of December a shortlist of three will be presented and mid January the winner will be published.
C Ronaldo has booked his flight to Zurich already, hoping he won’t take a dive 
.
This is the list:
Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Sergio Agüero (Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Steven Gerrard (England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andrés Iniesta (Spain), Kaká (Brasil), Frank Lampard (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Franck Ribéry (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), John Terry (England), Fernando Torres (Spain), Ruud van Nistelrooy (Nederland), David Villa (Spain) and Xavi (Spain).
Interesting to see Terry, Ribery, Drogba and Adebayor…
I’d say Edwin van der Sar deserves a spot before these four… Even if I was Portuguese, French, Italian or German I’d say that…
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Comfort zone for Oranje
October 17, 2008
When I watched the Norway – Holland game I realized we could lose and I also realized it may even be a good thing to lose. In the first place, we’d get some excitement back in this group and secondly, I always feel Oranje needs pressure to deliver. When all’s going our way, we tend to become complacent (EC2008 anyone?).
It will be Bert van Marwijk’s toughest task to keep everybody sharp, not to let players like Mathijsen, Ooijer, Babel, De Zeeuw, De Jong and Huntelaar think they’re actually very very good. Because they can be, but only if they give it their 100%.
The www.ad.nl looked back at the mood after the game:
Mark van Bommel raises his eyebrows… With what feeling will he return to Munich? “At the moment I’m just glad we won. I’m not sure how things will be in Munich. I’ll have to wait and see.”
Van Bommel is uncertain about his future at Bayern. As far as he is concerned, he’d love to play a couple of weeks more with Oranje.
“But, most lads will have that. When you win and you feel right, there’s nothing cooler than defending the colors of your country. And scoring that goal is special, but it’s great for the whole team that we won, who ever scores the goal.”
Still, that goal will give him confidence in his next encounter with Klinsmann. “My personal interests are less important. It’s important that we made a big step towards the WC, that’s what this is about.”
Most internationals will return to their clubs with confidence. No other land in Europe is so relaxed in their campaign as Holland now. Three wins in a row and sloppy rivals. The next five months, Oranje is just a nice side-dish. In the months that come, club football will be the main thing.
Robin van Persie: “Yeah, that is nice. We are doing well, you can say what you want, but three wins in a row is a great result. We had two away games, so…”
A private jet was waiting for Van Persie, Babel, Ooijer, Kuyt and van der Sar, to take them back to England, from Norway. They’d won a day for their prep for the busy competition this weekend.
In November this year Oranje will practice against Sweden and in February Van Marwijk hopes to settle on a friendly against Tunesia. These games are meant to keep the rhythm, but there is hardly any pressure on Oranje for the next months.
Team manager Van Marwijk can rest his most taxed players and maybe experiment a bit. There is a bit to do, despite the three wins. Oranje played sloppy against Norway. Van Persie: “These type of games are tough, though. For any nation. I really think we did great.”
Van Bommel though the play was ok until Oranje reached the 20 meter line in front of the Norwegian goal. “It wasn’t good beyond that, but we never really got into trouble.”
The former PSV midfielder was happy with his first international games after his return. “After the game someone said to me: it’s like you were never away… I liked that. It’s fantastic to be back, really great. The training level, the vibe in the group…. I truly enjoy that.”
Van Bommel played more than decent, with an assist on Van der Vaart against Macedonia and a goal against Norway.
“That is very cool, but not the most important. My primary task with Demy in this case, is to keep the balance on midfield. We need to make sure the boys upfront can make the difference. That is going ok for now. And it gives me more satisfaction than that goal.”
Robin van Persie wasn’t surprised he didn’t start after his hamstring injury. “I discussed it with the coach. We both didn’t think we should be taking the risk.”
Van Marwijk uses Van Persie on the right wing, for now. “That’s fine,” says the Gunner. “I play where the coach needs me. It’s hard enough with all those great players. Everyone wants to play for his country. Don’t think I will make trouble at Oranje to play on a certain spot.”
Against Everton Robin can play centrally again for his club Arsenal.
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Van der Sar comeback a ‘one-off’
October 9, 2008
AMSTERDAM (SW) – Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar stressed that his return to the Dutch national team is really a ‘one-off’, and that he will no longer be available after the upcoming two qualifiers.
Van der Sar received a request from coach Bert van Marwijk to provide his services once more, as first choice keeper Maarten Stekelenburg is injured while reserve goalie Henk Timmer recovers from a groin injury.
“It was hard to say no,” Van der Sar said. “I have been part of this team for a long time. I have always had a sense of responsibility. I was surprised, I had not expected to come back, though I did not want to desert the team.
“But that doest not mean I will do the same again next time. Bert said it would be a one-off. Two matches, and that’s it. After Norway it really is over.”
Holland first face Iceland on Saturday, followed by a crucial qualifier with Norway four days later.
Written by: Jonathan Roorda
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Sneijder wants to discuss free kicks issue with Van Persie
September 30, 2008
MADRID (SW) – Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder plans to have a talk with fellow countryman Robin van Persie, to make clear once and for all who takes the free kicks for the national side.
In an interview with Dutch magazine Voetbal International, Sneijder spoke about the free kick matter, referring to a situation in the quarter finals at Euro 2008, lost to Russia. Van Persie unexpectedly took the set piece and missed.
“It’s never been discussed, because we left Switzerland the next day and I haven’t returned to the team since.
“I’m not saying that I would have scored from that free kick, but it was about what we agreed on. When we see each other, I’d like to discuss it for a moment. We don’t have to make a big issue of this, but I want to make clear that everybody should respect the agreements.”
Sneijder injured his knee in pre-season, but is about to make his comeback for Real Madrid and the Dutch national team.
Written by: Jonathan Roorda
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Sneijder set to return to action
September 27, 2008
MADRID (AFP) – Dutch international midfielder Wesley Sneijder is set to return to play for Spanish champions Real Madrid after recovering from a left knee injury, the club announced on Friday.
The 24-year-old injured his knee two months ago in a friendly against English Premiership side Arsenal but he came through training with his team-mates safely on Friday and is expected to make his competitive return on October 5 against Espanyol at the Bernabeu.
Sneijder, who scored nine goals in Real’s march to the title last term in his first season at the club after leaving Ajax, had been expected to be out for three months but opted to undergo intensive orthopaedic treatment.
Written by: AFP
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National Cup has started…
September 25, 2008
Makaay realizes he can’t remember the dance moves to Village People’s YMCA!
And where in the world can you get a fixture like: PSV – PSV?
Allright then, it was PSV 1 – PSV 2… And the juniors really wanted to take the game to the big boys, but they simply couldn’t… PSV is on to the next round . PSV 1 of course…
Feyenoord had a shaky start. A horrible warm up season, lots of injuries, a first competition loss, a UEFA cup upset at home but also a very promising battle against rivals Ajax. Gertjan Verbeek hoped to see his team further push up the confidence against Top Oss (longtime ugly duckling in Dutch pro football).
Feyenoord won 3-0. But it wasn’t easy… It took extra time (30 minutes) after a goalless game. Roy Makaay scored the first and young Polish signing Michal Janota scored two in the last minutes.
This time around, it was the veterans who let the team down: De Cler, Gio van Bronckhorst and Roy Makaay already seem to be in Groningen or Sweden with their heads, although the Top Oss goalie deserves the credits for keeping the score goalless for a long time. And the cross bar…
FC Twente, Heerenveen, Roda JC…all the usual suspects eased through…
In Spain, apparently, Rafael van der Vaart scored his first hattrick. I saw Bruce posted the link to the goals and I will happily view them….now!
Laters
Goto Source
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The new contenders….
September 22, 2008
Evander Sno came through the Ajax youth system but left for Feyenoord at 18 years old. The defensive midfielder was never used in the Feyenoord 1 squad and was hired out to NAC Breda.
He made his move to Celtic and was praised as one of the world’s new talents. He made a promising debut for Celtic and played the CL games against AC Milan.
Sno signed a new deal at Van Basten’s Ajax for three years.
He is a regular in the U21’s team and was used in 9 different spots in his career, one of them being striker for Foppe de Haan’s Jong Oranje. He scored three goals as a striker.
Evander Sno – named after Evander Holyfield, the boxer – is 21 years old.
Jeffrey Sarpong is 20 years old – born in Amsterdam – and the player of Ghanaen descent midfielder played for Ajax all his life. Sarpong was courted by Chelsea when 7 years old but chose to play for Ajax. He is a regular in the U19 Oranje squad. His fave player in the world is Kaka, and his aim is to play alongside the Brazilian master.
20 Year old Gregory van der Wiel started his career at Ajax. I assume he has a Dutch father (the surname) and a Suriname born mother, but I’m just guessing here.
Leroy Fer is a 18 year old Zoetermeer-born player, who started his career at Feyenoord.
I couldn’t find a profile on Wijnaldum, but apparently the name Wijnaldum comes from a little village in Friesland, The Netherlands (!).
Apparently, Diego Biseswar is of Indian descent (Tiju) and born in Amsterdam. He even played for Ajax and Telstar in his youth before he moved to Feyenoord.
With these players, and Vlaar, Marcellis, Huntelaar, Drenthe, Maduro, Rodney Sneijder, Amrabat, Emanuelson, Aissati and Afellay you wonder what can go wrong in the future.
Oh, and we do still have some older players out there, with at least 6 years ( = three big tournaments) in their legs… Some guys called Van der Vaart, Robben, Van Persie, Wesley Sneijder, De Zeeuw, Schaars… Darn it… It’s good to be Dutch 
Goto Source
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So who is Diego Biseswar??
September 22, 2008
The Feyenoord fans had a great day against Volendam (5-0 win) and didn’t mind the draw against Ajax, yesterday. And the player who gave his team wings in both games was on the list to be sold. Diego Biseswar has found a second lease on life at Feyenoord.
Biseswar had two goals and one assist against Volendam and was instrumental in Feyenoord’s game against arch rival Ajax. With sparkles in his eyes, he tells his story. Sometimes humble, sometimes euphoric. The youngster had a chance to make a so-called “long-nose” to all present, but the Feyenoord player wouldn’t think of that. He hadn’t played that well and still has a long way to go and a lot to learn. And he though coach Verbeek was right to start Biseswar on the bench this season, “because I must do much better than this,” he said.
It sounded surreal out of the mouth of the much criticized talent. He wasn’t disciplined, was too lazy and arrogant. Twice, the Rotterdam club hired him out (Heracles and De Graafschap) and twice he failed to make an impression.
“He is a fascinating, special kid,” says Gertjan Verbeek. “Diego is always happy and smiling. No complications whatsoever. And that has it’s plusses and minusses. But I can’t just load him up with tactiical tasks. Than he’ll freeze. But if you allow him to play his game, he can do wonders. As you’ve seen today, again.”
“I just want to grab my opportunity now. I have played more this season than last,” he reflects on last season under Van Marwijk, who never used the youngster despite all the injuries.
“I don’t want to look back. I love it how Verbeek puts his confidence in me. He played me in our tournament, while management had told him I could leave. I even went on a test week to Sheffield United, but it didn’t result in anything.”
With Gertjan Verbeek at the helm, it seems Feyenoord can finally cash in on their youth development. The club that saw talents like Bouhatar (NEC), Leonardo (NAC and now Ajax), Evander Sno (Celtic, now Ajax) Van Persie (Arsenal), Drenthe (Real Madrid) and Loovens (Celtic) leave Rotterdam because they didn’t get a real chance at Feyenoord again has an interesting group of players on the verge of breaking through.
Verbeek doesn’t look at names or reputations, but picks those lads that will do the job. Whatever their age or history with the club.
The future is bright in Rotterdam.
Goto Source
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