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

Niko Kovac retires from Croatia national team

January 9, 2009

ZAGREB (SW) – Niko Kovac will no longer play for the Croatian national team. The captain announced this in an interview with newspaper Sportske Novosti.

"The decision has been made. I will never play for Croatia again. It wasn’t easy to decide this, because I have achieved a lot with the national team, as a person and as a footballer," the 37-year-old said.

Kovac made his international debut in 1996, but missed the 1998 World Cup as he did not fully recover from an injury. He did however appear in all three 2002 World Cup group matches but failed to help his team to the next round.

Following a similarly unsuccessful Euro 2004, Kovac took over the captain’s ribbon. The 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008 were both reached, but Croatia again failed to make it to the second round at both tournaments. In 2008 they were close, but a last-gasp goal from Turkey eventually meant elimination in the group stage.

The defensive midfielder currently plays his club football at Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg.

Written by: Jonathan Roorda