Dutch Football - Eredivisie - AZ-Ajax 2-0 - Van Basten: "Result is justified"

"The intellectualisation
of football has
always foundered
on a simple problem-
-the players. Doing
all your most
rewarding thinking
with your feet seems
to dull the philo-
sophical impulse.
Unless, of course,
you are Dutch.
According to legend,
Europeans played
a moronic, muscular
version of the world's
game, until Holland
proclaimed its vision
of total football in the
1974 World Cup,
and enlightenment
dawned."

From:
Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football

Van Basten: "Result is justified"

Sunday 23 November 2008

Ajax Coach Marco van Basten said it was justified that Ajax lost 2-0 against AZ on Sunday.

"It makes me sad to say but it is the case," Van Basten added.

"In the first half I think both teams were equal as they both had chances. The penalty was the only difference. After the break we quickly conceded a second one and then it was basically over. We were unable to pull ourselves together again and when the snowfall increased it wasn't possible to play good football."

Defender Jan Vertonghen had no trouble identifying the defining moment of the game: "Their second goal wasn't the definitive blow, but it came close. After that things just wouldn't fall our way anymore. The first hlf was much more balanced, but things are difficult when you don't convert your chances."

Urby Emanuelson saw no reason to be ashamed about the defeat:"AZ aren't a bad side. We did our best to win here. In the second half the circumstances were hard, with the strong winds and the snow. But that of course is no excuse."

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