The battles
between Aiax and Zeltic
TULIPS FROM AMSTERDAM AND GRFFN CLOVFR
'A pity for Ajax,' was Jock Stein's significant response after the lots
were drawn. In March 197», Ajax encountered the Scottish team Celtic,
which, led by trainer Stein, had lost the European Cup final from Feye-
noord the previous season. 'In the end, tulips from Amsterdam formed
the wreath on Celtic's European funeral', a Scottish journalist wrote
dispirited after the team's unexpected elimination. Ajax and Celtic met
each other twice for the European Cup. The score so far: 1-1.
ALL OUT ATTACK
9
The first time the two teams met, was in
the spring of 1971. Prior to the match in
Amsterdam, there were fears that Johan
Cruijff would be taken hostage by Mo-
luccan activists. Guarded by police, the
squad trained on the sports fields in front
of the stadium at the Middenweg. It tur
ned out to be a false alarm. The match
was played in a packed Olympic Stadium,
in an atmosphere that prepared the Ajax
players for the 'Hampden roar', the sound
of the enthusiastic Glasgow supporters.
Trainer Rinus Michels visited Glasgow as
a scout during an edition of the'Old Firm',
the traditionally emotionally charged Der
by between Rangers and Celtic. At 0-0, he
left the stadium early and escaped from
what was to be one of the most terrible
stadium disasters in history. When a late
equaliser was scored, Rangers supporters
wanted to get back into Ibrox Park. The
barriers gave way resulting in the tragic
death of 160 fans.
Ajax started its home match in control.
Michels was expecting a stormy opening
from the Scots: 'After all, their aim in away
games has always been to immediately
overawe their opponents by means of an
all out attack.This time around, it didn't
work because we took the initiative,'
Michels said after the match. Still, it was
only 0-0 at half-time. A change of tactics
was required. Michels ordered his team to
kick and run. Johan Neeskens acted as
halfway house:'It was exhausting. I felt
like a ping-pong ball, it went on and on.
Ball down thefront,McNeill heads it, I kick
it back and it started all over again.' In the
17th minute Neeskens' hard mid-field
work paid off as they scored 1-0. Cruijff
rounded off his pass, after an inexplicable
move, low in a corner. Amsterdam crafti
ness, combined with the Yugoslav clever
ness of Velibor Vasovic made it 2-o.Vaso-
viccreated unrest inthewall duringafree
kick and, capitalising on the confusion,
Hulshoff shot past the bewildered goalie
Williams. Just before full time Piet Keizer
torpedoed the already dented pride of the
Scottish team.
Midfielder Johan
Neeskens provided
the assist for
Cruijffs first goal in
Amsterdam, 1971.
(Foto: Guus de Jong)
woe 8 augustus
AJAX - CELTIC
