Big Preps for the Dutch Faves

Ajax lost the finals of the Amsterdam Tournament 0-1 against a tempestuous Arsenal. In a tough match, in which Arsenal dominated, it was Ajax goalie Stekelenburg who kept Ajax in the game. Arsenal played like there was a real price to be won, and it was Dutchie Robin van Persie who finally found the net in the 87th minute. With his right foot this time. Ajax coach Henk ten Cate: “I don’t think it’s bad to lose from Arsenal. They are a league above us, if they play like this. It was a good test for us. They played tough too, but that’s fine with me. No better way to prepare for the new season.”

PSV reached the finals of the Moscow tournament after winning against AC Milan. The two clubs kept each other at 0-0, mainly thanks to one Clarence Seedorf – renowned penalty kicker – who missed a spotkick in the match. A penalty shoot out had to decide who was to meet Real Madrid in the finals and PSV turned out the lucky ones after misses (Seedorf again!) by AC Milan.

Feyenoord kept Porto at 0-0 in the Rotterdam Kuip but couldn’t create anything themselves. Royston Drenthe played left of midfield but couldn’t demonstrate why all European topclubs are chasing him. Makaay was isolated up front and the biggest issue van Marwijk faces is painfully clear: who supports Roy the Phantom up front?

AZ is not capable of winning against foreign clubs. For the third time they lost, this time against Middlesborough 0-2. AZ played lacksustre and didn’t create a chance. Earlier in the pre-season AZ drew against Hartlepool (second division) and lost against Leverkusen… Doesn’t look good .