Playoff Preview
By: Matt | April 30th, 2008
Let the silliest of seasons begin! I know the KNVB deserves all the criticism it gets for even having these end-of-year opportunities for mischief, mayhem and hijinx to corrupt the sanctity of the league table. But it also means we get to see Heitinga and Huntelaar for at least two more matches. And for that, I say bring on the playoffs one more time!
I am also semi-excited because the playoffs have always been kind to Ajax. Or should I say, both playoffs have been kind to Ajax. We jumped over AZ back in 2006, moving into the CL from fourth and leaving AZ to rot in the UEFA Cup despite their runner-up finish. Last year, we beat Heerenveen in the first round before clinching our CL trip against AZ (and setting us up for some embarrassment). Should we repeat that victory over Heerenveen, we will face the winner of FC Twente and NAC Breda.
To do so, this first away leg will be vital. I seriously doubt that we will see a repeat of this Champions League semi-finals debacles. An away goal will be nice, but I expect there to be more than one or two goals scored. Both Ajax and Heerenveen can roll the ball into the net with gusto, and they are the two highest scoring teams in Holland. So if you were bored watching ManU chase Messi around, I doubt that you will be so tomorrow.
My expectations for a high scoring affair are further heightened by news that Thomas Vermaelen will be a no-go. I have still not heard anything about Jaap Stam coming out of retirement, so expect Vertonghen in the back, hopelessly out of position but nevertheless giving maximum effort. I know it won’t be Jurgen Colin, whose statements to the media about Koster’s mistreatment got him sent to the youth squad. And for that, I am glad, but why must we plague the youth squad? Send him back to Norwich City.
So I expect goals, on both sides unfortunately, but I do think we will score more than them. Our head-to-head record against Heerenveen is quite good, and our playoff experience has been sound, so here is my prediction:
Heerenveen 2-4 Ajax
Pranjic 10′
Huntelaar 18′
Huntelaar 30′
Perez 40′
Suarez 65′
Bradley 83′
That’s a lot of goals, now that I type it out. But I am sticking to it. Ajax should come out swinging, abandoning the cagey tactical stuff that got us booted from Europe at the start.
In other news, the Dario Cvitanich move is official. He says he will play as an attacking mid, so he may not be the replacement for Huntelaar most of us expect to arrive soon. If he can be a right-sided Suarez, that will put less pressure on us to find a goal-scoring machine to replace KJH. Do any of you want to speculate on more arrivals before I do? Names? Positions? Cost? Fire away.
Category: Team News
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