I’m officially done with my first year. So, I should be a sophomore but technically, I’m a junior.
Currently, I’m working on a renewed code for The __earth Inc. and tentatively, the new code will be uploaded into Umich’s server before the fall term starts. No major renovation occurred but the source code will certainly become shorter than the current one. Plus, more java language added to it.
At this moment, I can’t think of anything to write. In fact, I am writing this entry just for the sake of writing it. Let me think.
Hmm… I’ll come back to this later. Wait, I know. Ajax.
Ajax is a mythical character based on Homer’s classic – the Trojan War, written in Iliad but the Ajax I just mentioned above is not about classical literature but rather, it is about AFC Ajax Amsterdam.
Ajax Amsterdam was established at the dusk of the 19th century and this year will be its 102nd year in the world of football. As the name suggests, it is a football club based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
The name Ajax Amsterdam usually reminds the world of Frank Rijkaard, Macro Van Basten, Ruud Gullit, the de Boer brothers and many others. The list would go on and on. Truly, Ajax is one of the best sides Holland has to offer the world.
I first fell in love for De Magish van de Meer approximately seven years ago, the year when Ajax Amsterdam saw off the Italian giant AC Milan in the European Cup Final 1 – 0. It was an emotional moment for the Dutch side during the night of their victory. It was on that day that I saw Edwin van der Sar, said to be the tallest goalkeeper at that time. Seeing him what made me think Ajax was impenetrable. Forgive me for admiring a goalie but I was nothing but a small boy seven years ago. Therefore, I saw van der Sar as a giant, the valiant knight with his shining sword ever ready in his hands. Nothing could pass a guard as mighty as Edwin van der Sar.
The next year, Ajax made it through to the European Cup Final again to the Amsterdamers’ delight. We were making headlines throughout the world after winning both the Super Cup and the European Cup last year. The year of 1996 however proved to be a start of a bad run.
First of all, Ajax could have won the Final but unfortunately, they lost to another Italian giant, the Old Lady Juventus after extra time option had been exhausted.
It all started during a night that needed to be remembered. It was May 22nd 1996 in Roma, Italy. The arena was loud with both Dutch and Italian cheers. I could imagine how the stadium looked like. One part of the stadium was colored with Red and White while the other part was tainted with Black and White. The noise was loud. The sight was simply magnificent. I wish that I was there. I wish I was in Roma during the night that made Ajax fell to the ground hard and never got up for a few painful years. I do remember that I cried that night alone in my room after seeing the game.
If you saw that match, both teams gave all that they had. Juventus took a lead in the 12th minute with Ravanelli’s goal. The Old Lady fans suddenly erupted – far more glorious than Pinatubo eruption. Ajax doubled their effort in the midst of Juventus’ celebration.
About 20 minutes later, the Finnish terror squared off the score for Ajax. Jari Litmanen saved Ajax face in the end of a fantastic first half. The blood pressure was reduced during the half time but that bliss was only for a short time. The second half proved to be worse but it was scoreless nevertheless. Thus, that game of the year went towards extra time.
The night in Roma seemed to be longer that usual. Midnight looms but the champion of Europe had not been decided yet. With millions of hearts beating, still, the extra time proved to be pointless and tiring for the Dutch and the Italian. It was scoreless. Both van Gaal and Lippi knew that after this, only luck will do the working. It was time for the penalty shootout.
The teams gathered in the middle of the field, praying and comforting each other teammates. Then, the moment of truth came. Van der Sar stood in between the post with Ferrara just a few feet away, ready to kick the ball pass the keeper. The referee blew his whistle and later, the ball was inside the net. Van der Sar was down. A moment later, it was Ajax’s turn to torment Juventus yet it was Ajax’s Davids whom was crushed. His shot was stopped; making the score stood one against nothing. He was motionless but the game was not done yet. The Italian took the ball again for the kill.
Pesotto stood bravely in front of the Dutch national keeper and scored. Litmanen didn’t repeat Davids’ mistake. 2 – 1.
Padovano yelled “GOAL!!!” So did Scholten. 3 – 2.
Jugovic’s turn and he scored. 4 – 2.
Then, it was Silooy’s kick. This is the one. If he misses, than Ajax won’t be able to earn it 5th European glory. He knew that. Sadly for the de Meer team, he shot and the ball was stopped dead by Peruzzi – stopped dead. Peruzzi quickly ran towards his team. Silooy stood hapless, staring at the ground and trying to hold back the tears. So did every other Amsterdamers throughout the world.
I was certain that the stadium was in a load mode but to me and to every other true Ajax supporters, it was a night of silence. We heard nothing. We were thinking of nothing. We were only trying to do what Silooy was trying; holding back our tears.
So ended Ajax’s successful run in the European arena a while. The next few years saw Ajax’s stars that rocked the world – Kluivert, Frank and Ronald de Boer, Davids, Overmars, Litmanen, Kanu, Seedorf, Bogarde and many others left Ajax to struggle in Holland. Even van Gaal left Ajax behind to fail needlessly in the KNVB.
But last season, the season of 2001/2002 gave us hope that Ajax is returning to the European screen once again. Recently, Ajax beat Celtic, Manchester United and Barcelona with the score lines of 3 – 1, 2 – 1 and 4 – 3 respectively. Even better, Ajax had just beaten PSV in a comfortable 3 – 1 victory. And with player the likes of Rafael van der Vaart, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Mido, Andy van de Meyde and Christian Chivu, we are set for the 2002/2003 European Champions’ League domination. We shall rule the world once again. Mark my word.