PSV lift Johan Cruijff Schaal after seeing off Groningen
PSV Eindhoven have lifted the Johan Cruijff Schaal after a 3-0 win over Groningen in the annual curtain raiser for the Dutch football season.
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After losing both Memphis Depay and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer, PSV went into the game with the aim of proving they are still the team to beat in the Eredivisie, and Phillip Cocu’s side did just that by sweeping Groningen aside.
After 25 minutes PSV took the lead through captain for the day Luuk de Jong, who headed a Santiago Arias cross past a rooted Sergio Padt. The striker nearly made it 2-0 soon after, but his shot from the edge of the box flew just wide of the post.
Cup winners Groningen caused problems for the PSV defence towards the end of the first half, but new signing Bryan Linssen fired straight at Jeroen Zoet with the goal gaping, before sending a fierce shot against the post.
After the break PSV dominated and deservedly found a second goal on 50 minutes when Adam Maher raced towards the box before firing the ball into the bottom corner. Fifteen minutes later De Jong sealed the win with an emphatic volley from close range after Jurgen Locadia’s shot was looped into his path.
It could have been worse for Groningen when PSV were awarded a late penalty for a trip on Santiago Arias, but Andres Guardado’s spot kick was kept out by Padt.
PSV lift their 10th Johan Cruijff Schaal, and looked in good form ahead of their title defence, which starts next Saturday against ADO Den Haag.
Emanuelson traint mee bij Ajax
Afgelopen seizoen speelde Emanuelson bij Atalanta, maar sinds deze zomer zit hij zonder club. “Ik heb de afgelopen periode voor mezelf getraind, maar het is beter en leuker om dat in groepsverband te doen. Daarom ben ik blij dat ik dat bij Ajax kan doen”, zegt Emanuelson.
Of het een serieuze optie is om een contract te tekenen in Amsterdam is nog onbekend. In juni gaf de speler zelf aan hier open voor te staan.
Stompé mocht niet in Ajax-shirt darten
Darter Co Stompé stond raar te kijken toen hij zag aan welke tegenstander hij via het lot gekoppeld was. Zijn opponent was namelijk niemand minder dan Lex Immers.
Al ging er niet direct een belletje rinkelen: “Dat gebeurt via een loting. Ik zag die naam wel, maar er zijn meer jongens die Fikkie heten.”
Het feit dat hij tegen een Feyenoord moest darten bracht Stompé op een idee: “Toen ik begreep dat hij het echt was, heb ik nog getracht een ludieke stunt uit te halen. Ik heb een Ajax-shirt laten overkomen.”
Zover kwam het niet: “Maar helaas mocht ik daar niet in spelen van de organisatie. Heel jammer,” aldus Stompé.
Davy Klaassen
Nemanja Gudelj
Anwar El Ghazi
Reichedly Bazoer
Daley Sinkgraven
Eredivisie 2015/16 Preview: AFC Ajax Amsterdam
After finishing second in 2014/15, Frank de Boer’s club will look to take back their crown as Eredivisie champions in 2015/16.
Ajax Amsterdam won four straight Eredivisie championships before coming in second to a PSV side that featured Memphis Depay and Georgio Wijnaldum in 2014/15. With those two players now in the English Premier League, Ajax will look to regain their title and win their 34th Eredivisie title.
Frank de Boer’s club will be coming back this campaign with nearly the same group as the last, which is a change from last summer where they were powerless to prevent key stars Daley Blind and Siem de Jong departing. Ricardo Kishna became the only major loss during the transfer window with his decision to join Italian side Lazio.
Summer Transfers
In- Nemanja Gudelj (AZ Alkmaar), Arkadiusz Milik (Bayer Leverkusen), Mitchell Dijks (Willem II), Amin Younes (Borussia Monchengladbach), Johnny Heitinga (Hertha BSC), Yaya Sanogo (on loan from Arsenal)
Out- Kolbeinn Sigthorsson (FC Nantes), Ricardo Kishna (Lazio), Niklas Moisander (Sampdoria), Richairo Zivkovic (on loan at Willem II), Niki Zimling (returned to parent club FSV Mainz)
Ajax set themselves up for a title run very nicely during the transfer window, buying Milik outright after a successful loan spell last season and adding Gudelj and Heitinga for leadership roles. Losing Kishna should become a non-issue as Viktor Fischer should be a viable replacement. Yaya Sanogo and Amin Younes will be able to deputize Milik while Zivkovic is developing his talents in Tilburg.
Preseason
Ajax have had a tough preseason drawing with Dinamo Moscow (2-2) and Wolfsburg (1-1). The loss on their preseason record came to FC Nordsjaelland (1-3) and the win against Panthinaikos (2-0). The most recent match for the Amsterdam club was the first leg of third round of Champions League qualification against Radpid Vienna in which they drew 2-2, despite holding a two goal lead at half time. The second leg is Tuesday, August 4th at the Amsterdam ArenA.
Key Players
Davy Klaassen
Handed the captain’s armband by Frank de Boer for this season, Klaassen will look to lead the side back to the Eredivisie title. The 22-year-old is set to return to his favoured number 10 position, and already looked formidable in the 2-2 draw against Rapid Vienna in the Champions League, scoring both goals. This could be the season that Klaassen finally proves he is the successor to Wesley Sneijder in the Netherlands midfield.
Nemanja Gudelj
Although Gudelj is a new member of the squad, he will be looked upon to provide leadership and strengthen the young midfield. The Serb can also be a scoring threat, netting 11 goals in 32 appearances for AZ last season in the Eredivisie as well as assisting on three more.
Youngsters to Watch
Anwar El Ghazi
After an impressive debut season, El Ghazi must perform in order to give his squad a chance for the title. The 20 year-old forward made 31 appearances last campaign, scoring nine goals and assisting on eight more. He will challenge Milik for the team scoring title in 2015/16.
Reichedly Bazoer
Bazoer is set to start in the midfield along with Davy Klaassen and Gudelj in 2015/16. The 18 year-old was called up to join the first team after beginning the season with Jong Ajax. The excellent passer (86.9 passing percentage in 2014/15) will look to continue his rapid development this season, with many comparing the youngster to ex-Ajax legend Frank Rijkaard.
Daley Sinkgraven
Sinkgraven will look to show de Boer his versatility as he may be called on to play in a number of positions. Predominantly a midfielder, the 20 year-old started at left-wing against Rapid Vienna, and impressed with some excellent dribbling. The former Heerenveen star had a tough first six months in Amsterdam, but will hope to cement his place in the Ajax first team this campaign.
Projected Line-up
Cillessen; van Rijn, Veltman, Heitinga, Boilesen; Bazoer, Gudelj, Klaassen (c); El Ghazi, Milik, Fischer
Prediction
With Depay and Wijnaldum in the Premier League, Ajax will fancy their chances of pipping PSV to the title. It will be up to the new leadership of Klaassen and the young talent of Bazoer, Sinkgraven and El Ghazi to overcome their rivals, while Frank de Boer must convince his players to put the tough preseason behind them and look forward to what could become a 34th Eredivisie crown for the Amsterdam giants.
Predicted position: 2015/16 Eredivisie champions.
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