general has overhauled their neighbours Denmark and
Belgium and as the recent international results 0-1
and 0-0 (at Wembley) against England clearly indicate,
they are now a match for anyone.
When Ajax first revealed themselves as a real
power it came as a tremendous shock to English fans
and in particular the followers of Liverpool. In the
1966/67 European Cup campaign, Ajax thrashed
Liverpool 5-1 in Amsterdam and then in the second
leg, led by 1-0 and 2-1 before finally drawing 2-2 at
Anfield to eliminate Liverpool and reach the quarter
finals.
Over the years Ajax have maintained strong links
with the English game and prior to the appointment
of their present manager Rinus Michels, they had
former Manchester United star Jack Rowley and later
Vic Buckingham as their manager. It was in January
1965 that Buckingham left Holland to accept the
manager's job at Fulham which led to Michels
appointment and under his guidance the Ajax squad
have never failed to achieve at least one ma jot-
honour each season. Champions three times in a row,
then European Cup Finalists Ajax are clearly going
for a League and Fairs Cup double, and they have not
just a team but a squad, remarkably well balanced
with which to make the attempt. Certainly they will
give Arsenal their stiffest test yet in the international
arena.
Amongst the Ajax squad this season are no fewer
than six of the Dutchmen who drew 0-0 with England
in JanuaryCruyff, Keizer, Van Dijk, Krol, Rijnders
and Muhrenand in particular, the forwards Cruyff,
Van Dijk and Keizer are outstanding. During recent
weeks CF Barcelona have made a determined bid
to engage Johan Cruyff and were prepared to pay
£200,000 for him. In a counter-bid a large group of
Ajax fans have formed a fund-raising committee to
raise money and invest it annually, in a bid to keep
"their Cruyffie" in Amsterdam. Aware that Ajax
cannot afford to match Barcelona's salary and bonus
offer the Ajax fans aim to reach a target of £30,000 to
present to Cruyff on his 30th birthday if he stays
with Ajax.
But if Cruyffie is the star there is no doubt that
Ajax are a formidable team and they hang absolutely
everything on their attack. Even if playing defensively
it is the forward stars and not the defenders who play
the major roleby holding the ball for long periods
in mid-field play. But when they set out to attack,
their opponents will be stretched to the absolute
limit if they are not to give goals away. Cruyff, Van
Dijk and Keizer get most of the goals though centre
half Vasovic is the ace penalty taker and also scores
fairly regularly with headers from corners and free
kicks. Just how devastating Ajax can be is indicated
by their results in the Fairs Cup this season. At home
to Ruch Chorzow (Polish champions in 1968) Ajax
won by 7-0 and also managed a 2-1 away win, but
in the last round they really revealed their character.
After losing in East Germany by 3-1 against FC Carl
Zeiss Jena on an ice-bound pitch, Ajax conceded an
early goal to the Germans at home in the second leg.
Though 1-4 down on aggregate, Ajax maintained a
relentless assault on the German's goal and finally
scored five times in a row to win 6-4 on aggregate
THE FAIRS CUP FINALS
1955-8 London 2, Barcelona 2
Barcelona 6, London 0
Barcelona won 8-2 on aggregate
1958-60 Birmingham 1, Barcelona 1
Barcelona 4, Birmingham 1
Barcelona won 5-2 on aggregate
1961 Birmingham City 2, AS Roma 2
AS Roma 2, Birmingham City 0
Roma won 4-2 on aggregate
1962 Valencia 6, Barcelona 2
Barcelona 1, Valencia 1
Valencia won 7-3 on aggregate
1963 Dynamo Zagreb 1, Valencia 2
Valencia 2, Dynamo Zagreb 0
Valencia won 4-1 on aggregate
1964 Real Zaragoza 2, Valencia 1 (Barcelona)
1965 Ferencvaros 1, Juventus 0 (Turin)
1966 Barcelona 0, Real Zaragoza 1
Real Zaragoza 2, Barcelona 4
Barcelona won 4-3 on aggregate
1967 Dynamo Zagreb 2, Leeds United 0
Leeds United 0, Dynamo Zagreb 0
Dynamo Zagreb won 2-0 on aggregate
1968 Leeds United 1, Ferencvaros 0
Ferencvaros 0, Leeds United 0
Leeds United toon 1-0 on aggregate
1969 Newcastle United 3, Ujpest Dozsa 0
Ujpest Dozsa 2, Newcastle United 3
Newcastle United won 6-2 on aggregate
OUR EUROPEAN FAIRS CUP RECORD
4
1969
Opponents
Ground
F.
A.
Sept. 9
Glentoran
Home
3
0
29
Glentoran
Away
0
1
Oct. 29
Sporting de Portugal
Away
0
0
Nov. 26
Sporting de Portugal
Home
3
0
Dec. 17
Rouen
Away
0
0
1970
Jan. 13
Rouen
Home
1
0
Mar. 11
Dinamo Bacau...
Away
2
0
18
Dinamo Bacau
Home
7
1
