Poor Ajax beat even poorer Feyenoord

Sunday 15 February 2009

Ajax beat Feyenoord today (2-0) before a home crowd of 50,000.

It was the first win for Ajax after three defeats and a draw and the Amsterdammers fully deserved the three points.

Besides the two goals the Ajax forwards were denied by the woodwork four times in a phase in which Feyenoord were looking for the equalizer.

For Ajax the win is a boost ahead of their UEFA Cup clash with Fiorentina on Thursday.

Feyenoord, who created very few decent chances throughout the game, remain in the bottom half of the table and judging from today's performance it's where they belong.

Due to a whole team of injuries caretaker Leon Vlemmings had to field four teenagers again and on top had no options on the bench to replace the disappointing Roy Makaay, Karim El Ahmadi or Andwele Slory.

For Ajax there was the remarkable return of Kennedy Bakircioglü.

The Swede, who may leave the club at any time played the youngsters of Feyenoord in a game with the Ajax U-23 on Thursday and was put in the first outfit today to limit ball loss.

Van Basten also opted to add some routine by adding Spanish defender Oleguer instead of the injured Jan Vertonghen.

Besides Hofland (suspended), Van Bronckhorst and De Cler (injured) Jon Dahl Tomasson woke up with a fever this morning and was unable to play.

It meant Feyenoord draw back deep into their own half and leave the initiative to Ajax.

It worked well as Ajax got at it way too slow and never broke through the Rotterdam defense.

On the other side only Wijnaldum put Stekelenburg to work with a shot from 20 meters.

Feyenoord keeper Henk Timmer reacted well to efforts of Urby Emanuelson, Suarez and Thomas Vermaelen.

For the second half Van Basten replaced Sulejmani with Leonardo.

The Brasilian was an instant menace for the Feyenoord defense and his impulses eventually led to Ajax first goal.

In the 52nd minute it was defender Thomas Vermaelen opened the score.

A Bakircioglü free kick to the far post was not dealt with by the Feyenoord defenders and only met by Vermaelen who tapped it in from close range.

Feyenoord then pushed center back Theo Lucius forward to develop some more forward power; but as soon as Feyenoord lost the ball Ajax were quick on the break.

Anita, Emanuelson and Suarez (twice) all hit the woodwork until Suarez picked out the unmarked Emanualson in added time.

The midfielder had just Andre Bahia on the goal line to beat and decided the game.

Score

Goals

Cards

Lineups

Fixtures - Table