WELCOME0 VlS,TOffS
Ajax are building a new feature after
dominating Europe so successfully in the
early seventies and have appointed a
strong man as manager to try and re
capture the glory days.
Tomislav Ivic, the Yugoslav who made
Hajduk Split the top team in his home
country, has the job of trying to find the
players to follow legendary stars like
Johan Cruyff.
Back home in Yugoslavia he took
Hajduk to three championships. Now he
finds himself having to start all over again
with an Ajax team that he says he cannot
rebuild overnight.
Piet Schrijvers: is their excellent
goalkeeper, a Dutch international who
joined Ajax from Twente after the 1974
World Cup final when Holland lost to West
Germany. The fee of £120,000 came out of
the lucrative transfer of Cruyff and
Neeskens to Barcelona.
Rudi Krol: is the club captain and the
kingpin of their defence. He is a very
attack-minded defender who loves to
surge forward, as he showed by scoring a
gem of a g®al against United in the first
leg in Amsterdam. Aged 27, he played in
Holland's World Cup final team, and is one
of the few survivors from Rinus Michels'
success side.
Barry Hulshoff: played in the three
European Cup winning teams of 1971,
1972 and 1973 and is now back in action
after a long lay-off following a cartilage
operation. Nays alongside Krol but is also
frequently seen leaving his defensive
position to join in the attack.
Pirn Van Dord: is a 23-year-old
defender who graduated through the
club's junior teams. He got his chance to
establish himself in the team when
Hulshoff was injured and has stayed in t®
help form a solid defence.
Johnny Dusbaba: completed the back
four in the first leg against United. He
joined Ajax from Hague last season for
£25,000. He is 20 and a lively defender
who fits very well into the Dutch style of
total attacking football.
Rene IMotten: is a versatile inter
national who played in midfield against
United. He was signed from FC Twente
last season aged 26. He showed a readi
ness to go for goal and also tackles hard.
He was guilty of the only black mark in
the first game, earning a caution for
bringing down Lou Macari with a late
tackle from behind.
Dick Schoenaker: cost £80,000 from
Grasshoppers earlier this season and is a
24-year-old midfield player. Substituted
towards the end of the first match in
Amsterdam.
Rudi Geels: is the leading marksman
of the Ajax attack. Although a Dutchman
he first made his name in Belgium with
Bruges. Joined Ajax in 1974 for £130,000.
Leading Dutch scorer last season with 29
goals out of 34 games. Aged 28 he has
also been averaging almost a goal a game
this season.
Frank Arnesenis only 19 and comes
from Denmark. He was signed with Soren
Lerby in a double deal from the Danish
club Framad Amager last season. Forced
his way into the Ajax team this season and
played against the Reds in Amsterdam.
Hans Erkens: was signed as a mid-
field player for £25,000 from the Second
Division club VSC Holland this season.
Aged 24 he wore the No. 9 shirt in the first
leg and filled a roving role ranging from
midfield to attacking down the flanks.
Dick Ling: is Chinese by descent and
came on as a substitute in Amsterdam. He
is a 20-year-old right winger signed from
Hague for £25,000 this season, one of the
new recruits that the manager hopes to
mould into a top team again.
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