Ajax rolls up Heerenveen in Amsterdam, Schreuder enjoys: ‘Great’
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View the summary of Ajax – sc Heerenveen
The question beforehand was: can Heerenveen keep a clean sheet against Ajax with the tall goalkeeper Andries Noppert? The answer turned out to be ‘no’. In fact, after four minutes the ball was already in and it was clear that Heerenveen was going to have a difficult evening.
In the Johan Cruijff Arena, Ajax receive the Frisians 5-0.
Heerenveen only conceded one goal in five games. And so Kees van Wonderen’s team traveled to Amsterdam with quite a bit of optimism. Even though the Frisians missed basic players Tibor Halilovic (suspension), Amin Sarr (little trained) and Mats Köhlert (injury).
Three assists Tadic
It soon became apparent that Frisian optimism could not withstand the fast combination game of Ajax. ‘Mister 1-0’ Davy Klaassen lived up to his nickname with a striking header from close range, after a subtle cross from Dusan Tadic, one of his three assists. No chance.
Noppert couldn’t do much about the 2-0 shortly afterwards. Kenneth Taylor made a great hit from the edge of the penalty area after a rehearsed free kick.
After fifteen minutes 2-0 behind in Amsterdam. “Then it’s difficult”, said Van Wonderen afterwards. “You hope to meet them one day you can strike. But that wasn’t today.”
Every now and then Ajax quickly combined through the Frisian defense and switched aggressively when losing the ball to regain the ball. Schreuder saw that it was good. “Great. I thought we played a really good game. And I liked how they are on the pitch, they show that they enjoy it.”
View the reactions below from Schreuder, Tadic, Brobbey, Van Wonderen and Noppert:
Noppert was only able to show just before halftime why Louis van Gaal has included him in the pre-selection of the Dutch national team. Steven Bergwijn got the ball into the bounce in front of his right leg and already counted it when he shot. But the Heerenveen goalie saved a cat.
Even before that, Alex Timossi had messed up a one-on-one with Remko Pasveer in a sparse counterattack, but otherwise Heerenveen didn’t play much offensively. Ajax was the boss. Also rust.
Early in the second half, Mohammed Kudus decided the match with a punch in front of Noppert’s goal (3-0). The Ghanaian also made it 4-0 after a well-designed attack via the Mexicans Álvarez and substitute Sánchez.
After that, Schreuder could switch with confidence. Steven Bergwijn and Álvarez were given some extra rest before Tuesday’s Champions League match against Liverpool. Brian Brobbey, who brightened up his sub with the 5-0 on Tadic’s indication, and debutant Florian Grillitsch came in.
Just before time it was still a bit of a shock for Schreuder when Calvin Bassey lay moaning on the ground after a duel with substitute Sarr. Hopping and with a grim face from the central defender the field. The carefree Saturday evening in Amsterdam seemed to end with a small blemish, but on the last day there was good news again.
There, Schreuder said he’s not worried about Bassey. “It’s not that bad. It was a knock, but it’s not a problem, he said.” All in all, a carefree preparation for Tuesday’s game against Liverpool.