Fun in the province
The fact that summer is still a long way off in the Netherlands did not stop more than four thousand football fans from heading to the rainy Sportpark Mulderssingel in Wezep on Saturday. Our club is also immensely popular in the province. This was evident from the procession of cars that led to various parking lots in the area. In addition, supporters were lined up in rows around the field.
Between all the ponchos and raincoats we spotted quite a few Ajax shirts in the audience. Anyone who did not yet have a white-red-white garment in their possession might go to the canteen, where a makeshift Ajax Fanshop had been set up. Clever! Right next to it, Ronald de Boer, analyst on duty at Ziggo Sport, was eagerly handing out autographs to the local youth.
As a warm-up for the match with Rangers FC, the crackling speakers were filled with Amsterdam sing-alongs. The DJ on duty had also dusted off some records from the mid-nineties. This is how we heard Ajax is okay echoing across the sports park. Nostalgia!
Fitz-Jim and Van den Boomen on target
At the kick-off of the duel, a cautious sun finally broke through, which gave the tendons in the province a more cheerful appearance. Although the European encounter with FK Vojvodina is fast approaching, Francesco Farioli chose a different starting eleven in Gelderland than earlier in the week once morest Sint-Truidense VV (4-0).
The starting line-up consisted of Diant Ramaj, Devyne Rensch, Jakov Medic, Youri Baas, Owen Wijndal, Jordan Henderson, Branco van den Boomen, Kenneth Taylor, Christian Rasmussen, Chuba Akpom and Kian Fitz-Jim.
The Amsterdammers had a slight advantage in the first half. Taylor shot over from a promising position following a great attack. Akpom saw his header – following an excellent through ball from Henderson – saved by the Scottish goalkeeper. Fitz-Jim was accurate a little later. The occasional attacker tapped the ball in from a difficult angle, following referee Manschot gave the advantage to a foul on Taylor.
Ajax might only enjoy that lead for a short time. Tom Lawrence scored from a Rangers free kick. Ramaj did not shield his corner very well. His colleague on the other side also suffered from that a few minutes later, which also promoted a free kick from Van den Boomen to a goal.
Berghuis’ comeback
Because it remained dry during the first half, the grass might use a sprinkler during the break. Who would you call in for that? That’s right, the fire department! And so we saw a few firemen (and women) busy with fire hoses.
During the second half, there were a lot of substitutions. After an hour of play, Ajax’s line-up looked like this: Ramaj, Anton Gaaei, Tristan Gooijer, Dies Janse, Jorrel Hato, Sivert Mannsverk, Steven Berghuis, Benjamin Tahirovic, Jaydon Banel, Julian Rijkhoff and Carlos Forbs.
Berghuis’ name stands out. The Ajax player has been struggling with injury problems for quite some time, but played minutes once more once morest Rangers. Despite the necessary chances, no more goals were scored in the remainder of the match. The goalkeeper and the crossbar were in the way several times.
Next week Ajax will go to training camp on the Wageningse Berg. There they will practice once morest Al-Wasl and Olympiakos.
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