to be the night that the World sat up and took notice of Johan Cruyff who
scored both goals that night. Ajax had refused to play in the World Club Cup
against Nacional in 1971 due bad tempered previous finals but they had a go
in 1972 and after a 1-1 draw in Argentina against Johnny Rep (twice) and Johan
Neckens scored in the winning 2nd leg. And to complete the icing on the cake
they beat Rangers in the European Super Cup. The hat-trick of European Cup
triumphs were complete in 1973 when they beat Juventus 1-0 in Belgrade tahnks
to a Johnny Rep goal. 1973-74 saw Ajax step down as European Kigns as their
side began to break up. Johan Cruyff European footballer of the year left for
Barcelona and the Dutch champs went out of the European Cup in the 1st Round
so not having won anything in that season all they had left was the European
Super Cup in which they humiliated AC Milan 6-0 in the second leg after losing
the first 1-0. The fruits of that great Ajax team were reaped in the 1974 World
Cup finals when 7 players represented Holland in the Final against West Germany
when they were so unlucky to lose 2-1. The next few years were to be a quiet
period in Europe by Ajax standards but they were to win the league in 1977-79-80
and the Cup in 1979-80 and they introduced more talented youngsters to the
World such as Arnesen, Lerby and Tahamata. In 1982 Ajax went out of the UEFA
Cup in the first round to Spurs losing 6-1 on aggregate and their league challenge
looked decidedly shaky and it was clear the side lacked routine. This routine
came in December when Johan Cruyff returned to the club when he started his
career at the age of 10. With the prodical son as the new leader Ajax were
unbeaten for the rest of the season with the 20th title as a result. Cruyff inspired
them to their 21st title the following year and the 4th double but still the spectre
of the great team of the 70's hung over Ajax and they failed to make an impact
in the Europe going out in the first round to Celtic.
At the end of the 82-83 season it became clear that Cruyff and Ajax couldn't
come to terms for another season but also Schriyvers their outstanding goalkeeper
for 9 season, Lerby the Danish midfielder and R. Kieft their top goalscorer would
leave the club. Not much was expected of Ajax the following season but they
finished a respectable 3rd in the league the highlight of the season beating
Feynoord led by Johan Cruyff 8-2. Although they didn't win anything that season
Ajax give birth to a new generation of players including Jesper Alsen and striker
Marco Van Basten and this new team clinched the 1984-&5 league championship
and possibly a more significant event was by the board who appointed Johan
Cruyff as Technical Director. Ajax won the cup the following season and this
set them up for another European assault which was to take them to the Cup
Winners Cup Final last season against Locomotive Leprig of East Germany and
ended a 14 year wait when Italian bound striker only goal Marco Van Basten
scored the only goal in a game which who knows may herald the start of another
golden era in Europe for Ajax of Amsterdam.
Next Action In Oriel Park on Sunday, 4th October, 1987
DUNDALK v. BOHEMIANS
Opel League of Ireland Kick-off at 3.30 p.m.
