PSV beat Feyenoord in Dutch top clash

September 20, 2009

PSV Eindhoven are the only leaders in the Dutch Eredivisie following a 1-3 victory at Feyenoord on Sunday.

The two teams went into this game joint leaders, but PSV soon showed to be in better shape than their opponents as Danny Koevermans scored from about six meters in the 11th minute.

Nine minutes later, the PSV forward slammed home his second to double the away side’s lead.

Andwele Slory then got one back with a low diagonal effort in minute 23 but Otman Bakkal restored the original gap 14 minutes later.

Feyenoord lacked the strength to fight their way back into this game and drop from shared first to fourth position.

FC Twente is one of the teams that surpass Feyenoord, thanks to a 0-2 win at SC Heerenveen. Miroslav Stoch scored both goals, one in the 22nd minute and the other in the 72nd.

Ajax Amsterdam earned a comfortable 0-4 win at VVV Venlo, in the process handing their opponents their first defeat of the season. Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez netted no less than four times with goals in the 3rd, 68th, 70th and 90th minutes. The victory allows Ajax to climb to third place.

FC Utrecht added another three points to their account with a 0-1 win at ADO Den Haag. The only goal of the match came from Dries Mertens on 70 minutes.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ado den haag, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, clash, danny koevermans, Den Haag, dries, dutch eredivisie, feyenoord, gap, Jonathan Roorda, luis suarez, Miroslav, Miroslav Stoch, opponents, otman bakkal, psv eindhoven, roorda, sc heerenveen, stoch, striker, twente, utrecht, venlo

Sneijder forced to leave Real Madrid

August 20, 2009

Wesley Sneijder will no longer play at Real Madrid, according to Spanish media. The Dutchman has yet to find a new club.

Marca reported that the midfielder won’t form part of Manuel Pellegrini’s plans for the coming season, and isn’t even allowed to take part in training.

Real Madrid’s preferred option is to sell Sneijder to Italian side Internazionale for a fee of 15 million Euros, but the player himself hasn’t agreed terms with the Serie A outfit.

The now 25-year-old joined Real Madrid in 2007, after five years with the team of Ajax Amsterdam. Since his move to Spain, the player scored 11 goals in 52 games.

Sneijder is the third Dutchman to be disposed of by Real Madrid this summer. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar joined AC Milan while Rafael van der Vaart is still looking for a new team. Arjen Robben is likely to stay, but the futures of Ruud van Nistelrooy and Royston Drenthe remain doubtful.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ac milan, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, Drenthe, dutchman, futures, internazionale, italian side, Jan Huntelaar, klaas jan huntelaar, MADRID, manuel pellegrini, midfielder, move to spain, preferred option, Rafael van der, rafael van der vaart, robben, royston, ruud van nistelrooy, spanish media, training real madrid, van der vaart, Wesley Sneijder

PSV beat Ajax in entertaining clash

August 16, 2009

PSV Eindhoven handed Ajax Amsterdam their first defeat of the season, beating their rivals 4-3 in Sunday’s entertaining top clash.

Ajax had silenced the home crowd after less than two minutes, as a bad pass from Carlos Salcido allowed Luis Suarez to pick up and put the ball past keeper Andreas Isaksson for 0-1.

PSV then slowly but surely began to control the encounter and equalised in the 37th minute when Balazs Dzsudzsak slammed a free kick through the ball and past goalie Maarten Stekelenburg.

But Ajax immediately replied as Suarez scored his second two minutes after the equaliser. This time, the Uruguayan netted in the aftermath of a Demy de Zeeuw free kick.

After the break, PSV didn’t need long to level again as Dzsudzsak found Otman Bakkal who had no difficulties scoring for 2-2. Four minutes later, in the 54th, Dzsudzsak himself scored another with a free kick from the wing that completely surprised Stekelenburg.

This time it was Ajax to hunt for the equaliser and Martin Jol’s men got it in minute 58. Suarez provided Urby Emanuelson with the opportunity to slam it past Isaksson for 3-3.

But the home side had the final say as a pass from Manolev left Ajax’ defense shattered, for Bakkal to take advantage and score his second and earn PSV their first win of the season.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: aftermath, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, andreas isaksson, bakkal, carlos salcido, clash, demy, Eindhoven, encounter, equaliser, four minutes, free kick, home crowd, luis suarez, martin jol, otman bakkal, rivals, two minutes, uruguayan

PSV held by VVV, Ajax and Feyenoord win

August 3, 2009

A comfortable 2-0 lead wasn’t enough for PSV Eindhoven to secure three points against newly promoted VVV. Ajax and Feyenoord did win their matches on Sunday.

The first half never really had PSV’s defense threatened. The opening goal came from Nordin Amrabat in the 41st minute and Ole Toivonen doubled the advantage shortly before the break.

But VVV improved their performance in the second half. Achmed Ahahaoui pulled one back with a powerful shot in the 53rd minute, and Keisuke Honda volleyed home for the equaliser six minutes later.

PSV thought to have scored the winner when Toivonen netted from a corner in the 82nd minute, but a mistake from defender Dirk Marcellis allowed Ruben Schaken to make it 3-3 in the 85th.

Ajax Amsterdam’s new manager Martin Jol saw his side earn a rather simple 0-2 win at FC Groningen. Miralem Sulejmani opened the score on 41 minutes and Dennis Rommedahl added a second in the 72nd.

Feyenoord didn’t look quite as convincing against NEC, but did collect three points with a 2-0 win. The goals came from Jon Dahl Tomasson in the 10th minute and Leroy Fer (penalty) in the 76th.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: 53rd, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, dennis rommedahl, Eindhoven, fc groningen, feyenoord, groningen, honda, Jon Dahl, jon dahl tomasson, Jonathan Roorda, Leroy Fer, martin jol, miralem sulejmani, mistake, nec, Ruben Schaken, schaken, second half, six minutes, toivonen, vvv

Luis Suarez to captain Ajax Amsterdam

July 16, 2009

Ajax manager Martin Jol has appointed Luis Suarez to be the side’s captain for the upcoming Eredivisie season.

The Uruguayan is one of the key players at the Dutch side, which he joined from FC Groningen in 2007. Since, he scored no less than 39 goals in 65 appearances.

Belgian Thomas Vermaelen wore the captain’s ribbon last season, but his departure to Arsenal left Jol with the task of finding a replacement.

“Luis is one of the most important players and is very involved. Both on and off the pitch he has impressed me in the last few weeks,” Jol explained his decision.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, arsenal, captain Ajax, dutch side, Eredivisie, groningen, Jonathan Roorda, Luis, luis suarez, martin jol, pitch, ribbon, task, Thomas Vermaelen, uruguayan

Utrecht to face Groningen in Dutch Cup

July 8, 2009

The draw for the second round of the Dutch Cup tournament delivered one surprise, as FC Utrecht host FC Groningen for a clash that could really go either way.

The second round sees the arrival of professional teams, after a first round that features only amateur sides.

Ajax Amsterdam play their first Cup match of the season away to Apeldoorn outfit AGOVV, PSV host De Graafschap and holders SC Heerenveen should be able to find their way past the winner of the first round game between Waspik and SDC.

FC Twente, last season’s losing finalists, play against either Drachtse Boys or Joure.

The first round is set to be played on August 28, with second round fixtures planned for September 22, 23 and 24.

By: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: AGOVV, Ajax, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, clash, Drachtse, Dutch, dutch cup, Eredivisie, fc utrecht, game, Graafschap, groningen, jonathan, match, professional teams, sdc, surprise, twente, utrecht

Ajax confirm Jol as manager

May 27, 2009

Martin Jol has been confirmed as new manager of Dutch side Ajax Amsterdam, replacing Marco van Basten who recently resigned at the club.

The 53-year-old was in fact linked with a move from Hamburg to Premier League side Sunderland but eventually chose to return to his home country.

“Ajax is offering me a great chance, looking at a long-term commitment. I get a lot of tasks and many responsibilities. Ajax is a great club and I am really looking forward to working here,” Jol said.

“I had a really good time at HSV, it is a big club and Hamburg is a nice city to live and work. I worked abroad in the last few years and now I return to the Netherlands, I am looking forward to that.”

Before joining Hamburg last year, Jol had already managed Roda JC, RKC Waalwijk and Tottenham Hotspur.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Ajax, ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, Bundesliga, dutch side, Eredivisie, good time, Hamburg, Hotspur, HSV, marco van basten, martin jol, netherlands, nice city, premier league, rkc waalwijk, Roda, Sunderland, term commitment, the Netherlands, tottenham, Waalwijk

Koeman named as Van Gaal successor at Alkmaar

May 18, 2009

THE HAGUE (AFP) – Ronald Koeman was on Sunday named as the new coach of Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar to succeed Louis Van Gaal who has left to take charge at German giants Bayern Munich

The 46-year-old Koeman has signed a two-year contract, the club said.

“To succeed Louis, we wanted a top coach and we preferred a Dutchman,” said AZ president Dirk Scheringa.

Koeman’s last management job was with Valencia in Spain, but he left in April 2008.

The former Dutch international started his coaching career as Guus Hiddink’s right-hand man with the national team from 1997-1998.

He was also second-in-command at Barcelona from 1998-2000 before taking over at Vitesse Arnhem in 2000.

Koeman has also coached Ajax Amsterdam (2001-2005), Benfica (2005-2006), PSV Eindhoven (2006-2007) and then Valencia (October 2007-April 2008).

Tags: ajax amsterdam, Amsterdam, Arnhem, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, coach, Dirk, Dirk Scheringa, dutch champions, dutch international, dutchman, Eindhoven, Eredivisie, giants, guus hiddink, hague, hiddink, Louis, louis van gaal, management job, psv eindhoven, right hand man, ronald koeman, Spain, Valencia, Van Gaal

AZ hold Ajax, Feyenoord win at ADO

April 27, 2009

Newly crowned Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar held Ajax Amsterdam to a 1-1 draw in the Dutch capital. Feyenoord meanwhile, beat ADO Den Haag 2-3 thanks to a late goal from Roy Makaay.

The match between Ajax and AZ was particularly important to the home side, who needed a win in order to surpass second-placed FC Twente.

AZ had a good start at the Amsterdam Arena with an opening goal from Jeremain Lens in the 23rd minute. Things were made more difficult for the away side though when Stijn Schaars conceded a red card in the 57th.

Ajax eventually levelled through Luis Suarez in the 87th minute. The Uruguayan had missed a penalty earlier on, but was more successful from the spot on this occasion.

As a result, Twente remain in second place with one point more than Ajax.

Feyenoord Rotterdam joined the top eight and are on course for a spot in the UEFA Cup play-offs, beating ADO Den Haag 2-3. Timothy Derijck scored the opener for ADO in the 62nd minute but Jon Dahl Tomasson then netted twice to turn things around.

Richard Knopper thought to have secured a point in minute 81, 2-2, but Roy Makaay immediately restored Feyenoord’s lead for three valuable points.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ado den haag, Ajax, ajax amsterdam, ajax feyenoord, alkmaar, Amsterdam, amsterdam arena, Den Haag, dutch capital, dutch champions, Eredivisie, feyenoord, feyenoord rotterdam, Jon Dahl, jon dahl tomasson, jonathan, knopper, luis suarez, match, play offs, Richard Knopper, ROTTERDAM, roy makaay, Timothy Derijck, Tomasson, uefa, UEFA Cup, uruguayan

Netherlands: Big wins for Ajax and Feyenoord

April 13, 2009

Marco van Basten’s Ajax Amsterdam crushed Willem II 7-0 in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday, while SC Heerenveen defended their fourth place with a 1-0 win over last-placed FC Volendam.

Three goals in the first twenty minutes, two from Dario Cvitanich and one from Eyong Enoh, gave Ajax a very comfortable and quick lead. Luis Suarez went on to score from the penalty spot in the 35th minute and Urby Emanuelson made it 5-0 just before the break.

In the second half, Suarez added a sixth on 70 minutes and the Uruguayan completed a hat-trick, again converting a penalty with eight minutes to go. Angelo Martha, who had caused the second spot kick, was sent off for his offense.

With four games to go, Ajax remain at just one point from second-placed FC Twente. The number-two spot gives access to the third preliminary round of the Champions League.

The only goal at the match between Heerenveen and Volendam was scored by Viktor Elm in the 52nd minute. Teammate Danijel Pranjic was sent off near full time.

Feyenoord are close to the top half of the table following a 5-1 win over Heracles Almelo. Roy Makaay score three goals, Danny Landzaat and Kelvin Leerdam each added one. Heracles’ only goal came from Bas Dost.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda