Ajax, we, are through to the final 32, being the only Dutch representative in the UEFA Cup after both Twente and NEC lost to Marseille and Hamburg respectively.
The Marseille game was close, being settled through tightly contested penalty shootout after regulation time. NEC meanwhile never stood a chance.
Happy, happy, happy!
And seven minutes highlight!
How many people did Leonardo negotiate to get that goal?
7!
It’s a beautiful day.
It was in Italy too!
What a goal!
Another Dutch team, Twente also won with the same scoreline in France against Marseille.
First, out of European competition:
LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) – Former European champions Ajax Amsterdam made a shock exit from the UEFA Cup on Thursday after a 3-2 home defeat by Dinamo Zagreb gave the Croatians a 3-3 draw on aggregate and victory on the away goals rule. [Ajax dumped out by Zagreb, Bayern through. ESPN Soccernet. October 4 2007]
Second, Chelsea secured the service of Henk Ten Cate:
LONDON, Oct 5 (Reuters) – Henk Ten Cate’s agent said the Ajax Amsterdam coach has agreed to join Premier League club Chelsea as assistant to Avram Grant, according to reports in British newspapers on Friday.
It’s true we have an agreement with Chelsea,” Ten Cate’s agent Sigi Lens was quoted as saying by the Sun.
Chelsea want to take the coach now so if there is an agreement between the two clubs then everything will be clear.” [Ten Cate leaving Ajax for Chelsea, says agent. Reuters. October 4 2007]
He would have probably been sacked if he had not move anyway. So, whatever. But still, I am developing strong suspicion against Ten Cate and Chelsea; his move was announced on the same day Ajax was booted out of the UEFA Champions League. Given this, it is hard to believe Ten Cate invested all of his effort on that UEFA match. Perhaps, that is just me, a lot of other fans, looking for scapegoat. Nevertheless, there is a growing tendency in me to support anybody that plays against Chelsea, including ManUre.
Chelsea to met used to be a bugging mosquito across the Channel. Now, the relationship is becoming personal.
Amid that the flurry of bad news, at least a piece is there to lighten up the day:
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan won’t have to forfeit any football games for using an ineligible freshman player.
Michigan last month reported an administrative error involving safety Artis Chambers to the Big Ten. Chambers played in three games, including a 14-9 victory over Penn State, but wasn’t eligible under the conference’s freshman rules. [Big Ten rules Michigan won’t have to forfeit games. AP via Yahoo! News. October 4 2007]
The Big Ten crown is still in sight.
I am relieved. With Ajax’s recent run, I had expected the worst but there is still hope:
LONDON, Sept 20 (Reuters) – Former European champions Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam started their UEFA Cup campaigns with 1-0 wins in Thursday’s first-round matches.
[…]
Ajax also look in better shape than Bayern after winning at Dynamo Zagreb. Dane Dennis Rommedahl went round keeper Georg Koch to score the winner from a pass by strike partner Klaas Jan Huntelaar just after the hour mark. It was a mixed time for the money-spinning English Premier League clubs. [UEFA Cup: Bayern, Ajax get narrow wins. Soccernet. September 20 2007]
The away goal rule will be precious for the return match at Amsterdam scheduled in two weeks time.
And oh yeah, did I mention that Michigan razed Notre Dame to the ground?