The KNVB Beker has thrown up a clash of the titans at the fifth round stage as defending champions Ajax meet AZ in Amsterdam.
Last May’s cup success ended a three year trophy drought for the Godenzonen, and victory was particularly sweet as it came against fierce rivals Feyenoord in a match played over two legs due to fears of violence in the terraces.
Eredivisie success isn’t out of the reach of Ajax this season, though they are six points behind leaders PSV with a game to play. This performance hasn’t been enough to save the skin of Martin Jol, who left his post in charge of the giants in early December due to a relatively disappointing start to the league season, which included a 2-0 loss away against AZ.
Frank de Boer is in temporary charge at the Amsterdam ArenA but has presided only two matches due to the inclement weather. The former international defender was at the helm as Ajax recorded a fine 2-0 victory over Milan to seal a spot in the Europa League before Vitesse were dispatched 1-0.
Thursday evening’s match will therefore be the first in the Dutch capital since Jol’s departure, and Ajax will be desperate to keep their forward momentum going.
Nineteen-Year Itch
While Ajax attempt to challenge for the Eredivisie title, AZ are endeavouring to finish the season in a stronger position than last term’s fifth. Presently the Alkmaar club are stationed level in sixth, edged out of the top five by Roda.
AZ have been defensively strong since the summer, leaking only 18 times, but this has come at the expense of success at the opposite end of the field. Their tally of 25 goals in 18 games is meagre by Dutch standards and is more reminiscent of a team trying to avoid relegation rather than challenge for a European place.
Slow and steady may not be enough to challenge for a title that was won last season with 86 points from 34 games, but their more measured approach could be more suited to the KNVB Beker, which they have won on three previous occasions, though not since 1982.
Coach Gertjan Verbeek has expressed his anger at the timing of this encounter, complaining of a lack of Christmas spirit in the KNVB, whom he feels shouldn’t have scheduled a match so close to Christmas Eve, when may of his players, particularly those from abroad, will be thinking of returning home to their families.
In addition, the weather forecast suggests that there could be snow, which will add a further random element into a fixture that is a repeat of the 2006-07 final. Ajax won dramatically 8-7 after penalty kicks on that occasion, and AZ are looking to turn the tables on Thursday.
TEAM NEWS
Ajax
Mounir El Hamdaoui has had flu and isn’t ready to play, both on a physical and mental basis. Luis Suarez, meanwhile, is back home in Uruguay due to a ban.
Nicolas Lodeiro, Kenneth Vermeer and Florian Jozefzoon are all long-term concerns. Teemu Tainio is sick, while Oleguer has a knee issue and won’t feature.
AZ
Captain Stijn Schaars, Celso Ortiz, Joey Didulica, and Nick van der Velden are all missing because of injury problems. Hector Moreno and Johann Berg Gudmundsson have been allowed to return to their families early for Christmas as they are suspended.
Prediction
Ajax will want to maintain their positive momentum into the winter break, and against an AZ side somewhat depleted the hosts will expect to move through. The Godenzonen have not been infallible at home this season, but they should have too much for their rivals.
Ajax 2-1 Alkmaar 
