AFC Ajax Amsterdam is one point away from its 29th Eredivisie title. Currently, with only two more matches to go, Ajax has six points clear of the nearest team, PSV Eindhoven.
Feyenoord lingers at third and has no chance of gaining a higher spot.
As the season closes to its finale, all in all, it has been in every direction a disappointing season relative to last year performance. The primary cause of letdown is Ajax failure to qualify beyond the Champions League group stage. This season, Ajax was grouped with Celta, Club Brugge and Inter Milan. It was supposed to be an easy group and Ajax should have had no trouble passing through the stage with a breeze. However, strength written on paper is apparently different from strength shown on the field. Ajax was humiliated by Celta and Club Brugge. As a result, Ajax failed to meet up with most pundits’ expectation and crashed out of the Champions League after six painful matches. This however probably shouldn’t have been a shock since during the Champions League qualifiying stage, Ajax couldn’t capitalize on the much unknown Grazer AK of Austria. In fact, Ajax could have easily missed out the Champions League entirely.
Another source of frustration is Ajax inconsistency in the local arena. In the Amstel Cup, the Dutch do-it-or-die competition, Ajax was defeated by NAC Breda and there was nothing to rue about. During that match, Ajax looked like some team from some unknown Dutch region. In the Eredivisie itself, of lately, Ajax failed to win against even one of the worst Dutch teams. Perhaps, the fact that Feyenoord has a problem of itself and PSV losing Kezman, Robben and a few other keys players to booking and injury has helped Ajax secures the first place. Ajax inconsistency is further exemplified when Ajax watched helplessly as it once 12 point lead was reduced to merely six point lead in the last few matches.
Nevertheless, looking at the bright side, this might be what Ajax needs in order to keep its player from leaving. All players, excluding Trabelsi according the media should be staying for at least another season or two. Trabelsi is probably leaving for Manchester F-United once his contract is done.
Futhermore, this year, Ajax found two new faces that I consider as Ajax new great asset. They are youngster Wesley Sneijder and the Romanian Nicolae Mitea. Sneijder has already been debut in the Dutch national team and will be playing under Dick Advocaat for Euro 2004 in Portugal.
In Rotterdam and Eindhoven, two major transfers are on the way. The PSV youngster Arjen Robben is set for Abrahamovich’s Chelsea, or rather Chelski while Feyenoord winger Robin van Persie is set for Arsenal. The prolific PSV striker Mateja Kezman is rumored to be linked with Fulham. Unless PSV and Feyenoord gets new players, the loss of their influencial players will hurt them.
In conclusion, I expect a tougher Ajax next season; an Ajax that is capable of defending/capturing the 2004/05 crown inspite of a few major disappointments this season. In the mean time, I will be crossing my finger in hope of Ajax will at least earn a point against NAC Breda this weekend or against Willen II Tilburg the week after.
In any case, this year Amsterdam Tournament will feature Ajax Amsterdam (obviously), Arsenal FC, Panathinaikos and River Plate.
p/s – Porto has beaten Deportivo La Coruna to advance to the Champions’ League Final. Porto will face either Chelsea or Monaco. From the look of it, the Final would probably be the Battle of Iberia. Isn’t it beautiful to see no Italian team in the Final?
