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KEITH CHAPMAN INTRODUCES AJAX
AJAX FACTFILE
DEFENDERS
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the double European Cup winner was
going to bow out on a victorious note,
as van Basten's Holland destroyed
world champions Italy and then France
in their group. Van Basten had the
Dutchmen playing beautifully but it all
ended in the quarter-finals, van Basten
outwitted by his older compatriot,
Guus Hiddink, the Russia coach.
But he had proved, after a poor
showing in the last World Cup, that
he wants and can get his teams to
play football with the kind of quick
passing and intelligent play that has
proved a successful blend in the past.
Yet he will have his work cut out to
take Ajax back to the peak of Dutch
football, which has to be their immediate
aim. With their ranks being plundered
by richer European clubs every year
- Liverpool signed Ryan Babel and
Real Madrid bought Wesley Sneijder
12 months ago - they are never able
to build up a team that can compete
seriously at Champions League level.
Wresting back domestic superiority from
PSV will be van Basten's aim this year.
MAARTEN STEKELENBURG
GOALKEEPER: Dutch international
understudy to Edwin van der Sar
in Euro 2008, the 25-year-old
played in Holland's game against
Romania in the group stages. Made
his Ajax debut in 2002, but injuries
meant it was three years before
he became first choice. Earlier
this year he agreed a two-year
contract extension committing
him to the club to 2012.
DENNIS GENTENAAR
GOALKEEPER: 32 year old
understudy to Stekelenburg. Began
his career at NEC Nijmegen and
his performances secured a dream
move to Bundesliga side Borussia
Dortmund in 2005. A year later he
returned to the Eredivisie to provide
competition for the goalkeeper's
jersey at the Amsterdam ArenA.
DEFENDER: Joined from Steaua
Bucharest in 2006, the 28-year-
old Romanian right-back made
16 appearances in the 2007/08
season. Last year, Ogararu helped
Ajax beat AZ Alkmaar on penalties
to clinch their 17th Dutch Cup.
DEFENDER: 28-year-old Uruguay
international who signed from FC
Groningen earlier this year. Silva
started his career at Danubio and
spent more than five seasons
in his home country, before
joining Groningen in 2005.
JURGEN
COLIN
THOMAS VERMAELEN
DEFENDER: Born in 1985 in his
native Belgium, Vermaelen started
his career at Germinal Ekeren
before making the switch to Ajax
in 2004. Also signed a contract
keeping him at the club until 2012.
DEFENDER: The 21-year-old left
sided defender can also play
in midfield. The young Belgian
has represented his country at
Under-21 level and made his
Ajax debut in 2006. Vertonghen
is tipped for a bright future.
DEFENDER: Born in 1987 in
Amsterdam, Donovan plays left-
back and made his debut in the
2006-season where he was loaned
out to FC Groningen. Slijngard
made his first appearance for
the club in last season's play
off game against FC Twente.
DEFENDER: The 27 year old full
back joined the club from Norwich
City last summer. Started his career
at PSV Eindhoven, before spending
spells on loan at KRC Genk and NAC
Breda. Colin made the permanent
switch to NAC Breda in 2004/05
season and his performances earned
him a move to the Championship
and Norwich City. Spent two years
at Carrow Road before moving
to the Amsterdam ArenA.
LEGUER PRESAS
DEFENDER: The 28 year old
Spaniard joined from Barcelona
last month. Oleguer made 167
appearances at the Nou Camp.
He is equally comfortable at right
back or in the centre of defence.
1900
Amsterdam ArenA
51,000
Red and white,
with white shorts
Blue shirts and shorts
29, a
record (most recent: 2004)
17, a
record (most recent: 2007)
4 (1971-73; 1995)
1 (1992)
1 (1987)
