Match Report
 today's match is sponsored by FISO |
Match Report
It is a thoroughly wet and miserable day here at Amsterdam Arena where Ajax Amsterdam play host to Heracles Almelo. A crowd of 16,807 fill this 21,000 capacity stadium.
The pitch is in good condition.
Ajax Amsterdam are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Heracles Almelo appear to be shaped for 4-3-2-1.
Today's match is refereed by Darl Alberda.
The pitch is in good condition.
Ajax Amsterdam are playing in a 4-3-3 formation while Heracles Almelo appear to be shaped for 4-3-2-1.
Today's match is refereed by Darl Alberda.
0.00
0-0Heracles Almelo kick off!
14.14
0-0Corrado Vicari flicks a high pass forward. Shabani Garrault controls it well on his chest. With imagination, Shabani Garrault plays the ball forward to Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Ronnie van Dam who gathers it comfortably.
16.36
0-0Dave Rodgers knocks the ball forward to Giovanni De Poli. Giovanni De Poli shoots from 25 yards but it's a lousy effort!
20.50
0-0Jason Shearer plays the ball forward to Nicolas Fernandez. Nicolas Fernandez flicks the ball to his team mate, Shabani Garrault. Shabani Garrault whips in a cross ball towards John Robson. John Robson directs the ball goalwards with his head. Ronnie van Dam didn't know what hit him as the ball comes off him at close range. The loose ball is scrambled clear by the defence.
21.00
Ioannis Vakouftsis takes a quick throw-in. Shabani Garrault knocks the ball to his team mate, Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes whips in a cross ball towards Shabani Garrault. Shabani Garrault makes a looping header on goal but Ronnie van Dam reads it well. He makes it look easy!
26.31
Lars Turek threads a neat ball through to Andre Hendriks. Andre Hendriks knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Gabriel Carrasco who gathers it comfortably.
28.47
Sander Cruyff sees a break and surges forward. Sander Cruyff finds some space and shoots from distance. The ball comes in low, but Ronnie van Dam easily smothers it!
30.40
Ioannis Vakouftsis controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes knocks in a cross ball but it is too close to Ronnie van Dam who gathers it comfortably.
32.55
Jerome Antunes flicks a high pass forward to Sander Cruyff who brings the ball under control. Sander Cruyff decides to run forward with the ball. Sander Cruyff whips in a cross ball towards Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes powers a header at goal but slams it into the crowd!
36.34
Shabani Garrault kicks a strong pass forward to Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes plays a scrappy one-two with John Robson and advances towards the goal... Ricardo Reyes side-steps and rifles a shot at goal but it curls horrendously wide!
42.51
Corrado Vicari kicks a strong pass forward to Ioannis Vakouftsis. Ioannis Vakouftsis threads a neat ball through to Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes whips in a cross ball towards John Robson. John Robson connects with the ball, driving a powerful header at goal. The keeper is more than a match for it. Fabulous save!
45.00
The referee blows for the end of the first half
Both teams emerge for the second half. Ajax Amsterdam appear unchanged since the first half. Heracles Almelo also appear unchanged since the first half. The Ajax Amsterdam players look more determined than they did at the start of the game.
45.00
The whistle blows and Ajax Amsterdam get the second half underway!
47.48
1-0With intelligent vision, Sander Cruyff laces a through ball forward to Shabani Garrault. Shabani Garrault lofts in a cross ball towards Ioannis Vakouftsis. Ioannis Vakouftsis makes a convincing header. What a cracker!! Ronnie van Dam had no chance!! Goal for Ajax Amsterdam!
53.30
1-0Anastasios Tselios clumsily knocks into Nicolas Fernandez. The referee calls over Anastasios Tselios and warns him to calm down! Nicolas Fernandez hobbles a bit, but should be okay.
60.48
1-0Heracles Almelo have made a substitution with Tony Denneboom replacing Bogdan Denneboom .
61.56
Marino Van Der Sleen flicks a high pass forward. Lars Turek holds off his marker to collect the ball on his thigh. Lars Turek threads a neat ball through to Andre Hendriks. Andre Hendriks whips in a cross ball towards Giovanni De Poli. Giovanni De Poli powers a header at goal but he gets too far under it and it goes high into the crowd!
69.17
Henry Besselink threads a neat ball through to Lars Turek. Lars Turek tries a spectacular long range effort but it flies just off target!
72.38
Patrick Kuyt controls the ball well before passing to his team mate, Lars Turek. Lars Turek lofts in a cross ball towards Giovanni De Poli. Giovanni De Poli beats his man to it with a header. The ball rattles the crossbar bouncing back into play. The loose ball is cleared by the defence.
78.39
Ioannis Vakouftsis sweeps the ball up the wings. John Robson knocks in a cross ball towards Shabani Garrault. Shabani Garrault connects with a diving header. The ball flies towards the top corner but the keeper is able to reach it. Excellent save!
81.35
Corrado Vicari takes a quick throw-in, lobbing the ball to the feet of Nicolas Fernandez. Nicolas Fernandez makes a simple pass to Ioannis Vakouftsis. Ioannis Vakouftsis knocks the ball forward to Ricardo Reyes. Ricardo Reyes knocks in a cross ball but it is headed clear by Anastasios Tselios.
83.24
Tony Denneboom deftly passes the ball to his team mate, Andre Hendriks. Andre Hendriks knocks in a cross ball towards Giovanni De Poli. Giovanni De Poli powers a header at goal. The ball skims just under the bar, beyond the keeper's outstretched hand. Goal!!
87.11
Giovanni De Poli catches Nicolas Fernandez on the ankles. The referee warns Giovanni De Poli to calm down! Nicolas Fernandez runs off the knock.
89.45
Dave Rodgers hits a low pass to Patrick Kuyt. Patrick Kuyt shoots from 25 yards. Magnificent save by Gabriel Carrasco!
90.00
The referee blows the final whistle
Match Statistics
Goals
1
1
Shots on Target
6
2
Shots off Target
2
4
Offsides
0
0
Fouls
0
2
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Possession
52.2%
47.8%
Play Area
27.5%
44.9%
27.5%
Scorers
Man of the Match
| The man of the match was awarded to Ioannis Vakouftsis of Ajax Amsterdam |
Match Ratings
| 1. | Gabriel Carrasco (GK) | 6 | |
| 2. | Gavin Johnstone (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Corrado Vicari (DEF) | 7 | |
| 4. | Jerome Antunes (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Jason Shearer (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Ioannis Vakouftsis (MID) |  | 9 |
| 7. | Nicolas Fernandez (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Sander Cruyff (MID) | 8 | |
| 9. | John Robson (ATT) | 7 | |
| 10. | Shabani Garrault (ATT) | 8 | |
| 11. | Ricardo Reyes (ATT) | 6 | |
| 12. | Alfredo Buso (DEF) | 0 | |
| 13. | Jochem Gentenaar (DEF) | 0 | |
| 14. | Julian Götz (MID) | 0 | |
| 1. | Ronnie van Dam (GK) | 8 | |
| 2. | Henry Besselink (DEF) | 6 | |
| 3. | Anastasios Tselios (DEF) | 6 | |
| 4. | Marino Van Der Sleen (DEF) | 6 | |
| 5. | Bogdan Bot (DEF) | 6 | |
| 6. | Bogdan Denneboom (MID) | 6 | |
| 7. | Patrick Kuyt (MID) | 6 | |
| 8. | Dave Rodgers (MID) | 6 | |
| 9. | Lars Turek (ATT) | 6 | |
| 10. | Giovanni De Poli (ATT) | | 8 |
| 11. | Andre Hendriks (ATT) | 7 | |
| 12. | John Arne Bragstad (MID) | 0 | |
| 13. | Scott Rae (ATT) | 0 | |
| 14. | Tony Denneboom (MID) | 6 | |