Other Domestic Leagues 18/19
- Thread starter maclean
- Start date
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Ajax beat Willem II with relative ease yesterday. Veltman scored a sweet goal and might have cemented his spot at RB a bit more with this outing. Tadic, Van de Beek and Neres played excellent. Frenkie as well, but he ended up with a big lump on his ankle and was taken off earlier. I doubt he won't be able to play Wednesday, though.
PSV needed to win today to remain first, but only tied Vitesse in a thrilling match in Arnhem. Odegaard was their MVP with a beauty of a goal and showing off his amazing skill set throughout the game. He plays with so much guts and flair, very entertaining player to watch.
Ajax and PSV now tied with 71 points apiece, but Ajax wins the tiebreaker based on goals. They have scored 100 goals so far and with 5 games remaining they still have a tiny chance to break the Eredivisie record of 122 goals in a single season, also held by Ajax.
Fun season. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts, seeing we'll likely have an entirely new squad in a few months.
PSV needed to win today to remain first, but only tied Vitesse in a thrilling match in Arnhem. Odegaard was their MVP with a beauty of a goal and showing off his amazing skill set throughout the game. He plays with so much guts and flair, very entertaining player to watch.
Ajax and PSV now tied with 71 points apiece, but Ajax wins the tiebreaker based on goals. They have scored 100 goals so far and with 5 games remaining they still have a tiny chance to break the Eredivisie record of 122 goals in a single season, also held by Ajax.
Fun season. Might as well enjoy it while it lasts, seeing we'll likely have an entirely new squad in a few months.
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Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Ajax beat lowly Excelsior Rotterdam with 6-2. You could tell they were holding in. Some not so sharp moments defensively, but I'll take it considering the busy schedule. Frenkie left the game after 28 minutes, but it seemed precautionary. He's been having some trouble with his ankle, but it doesn't seem to be anything serious. Huntelaar scored a hatty + assist and Tadic added a brace and an assist as well. Dolberg came in late and showed his class. I think his goal was pretty decent:
Besiktas beat Basaksehir, their lead at the top could be cut to 3 but Gala face Fenerbahce away
In Russia a shock home loss for CSKA could leave them 4 points out of automatic CL contention with 7 matches to play should Krasnodar win tomorrow
Historic club Grasshopper Zurich on the verge of relegation in Switzerland. It’s down to them or Xamax but still plenty of games in that league
Dinamo Zagreb’s title celebrations delayed for at least a week, they are running away with the Cro league despite a deep run in the EL which forced them to rotate a lot
In Russia a shock home loss for CSKA could leave them 4 points out of automatic CL contention with 7 matches to play should Krasnodar win tomorrow
Historic club Grasshopper Zurich on the verge of relegation in Switzerland. It’s down to them or Xamax but still plenty of games in that league
Dinamo Zagreb’s title celebrations delayed for at least a week, they are running away with the Cro league despite a deep run in the EL which forced them to rotate a lot
Savi
Registered User
So, we've just had an incredibly eventful weekend in the Belgian League.
On Friday, Standard hosted Anderlecht in the 'Belgian clasico' these two hate eachother and stuff always happens when they play. Anderlecht came into this game having started the Playoffs with three straight losses, after already having a terrible year, with fans calling for the president's resignation last week, and with the club in danger of missing out on European football for the first time in 50+ years.
Standard scored an early goal through Halilovic (which was eventually ruled out by the VAR for offside) and immediately Anderlecht 'fans' started bombarding the pitch with fireworks. Play resumed though with Standard thoroughly dominating the game, and after they scored again, more fireworks were thrown onto the pitch once again. The ref stopped play, and players went back inside for about 5-10 minutes. After that, once again play was resumed and in the 30th minute Standard got a PK (VAR decision) and Anderlecht's best defender was sent off (second yellow). The PK went in and with Anderlecht down 2-0 and staring down a humiliating result, again fans started throwing fireworks, and the ref ended the game in the 31st minute.
Nothing has been decided yet but surely Standard will be awarded the win and Anderlecht will be severely punished. This has been a new low for them in a season full of lows already.
There's also been much discussion about how these fans were able to get that much firework flares into the stadium - but really that seems to be a worldwide problem.
And yesterday, Club Brugge travelled to leaders Genk, with a chance to take first place with a win after having started the playoffs on a three game winning streak and getting back to within one point of Genk. With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, Genk were awarded a controversial PK. One of Brugge's defencemen was accidentally hit on his elbow by the ball, he had his back turned so couldn't see the ball, and it wasn't a shot on goal either, so you would think isn't a foul. Yet, some new rule has been put into place that says that even if you have your back turned and it is "ball to hand" (and not otherwise) it should be a pen. Ref initially let the play go on, then went over to watch the VAR screen, and honestly I think he didn't want to give the pen, he just had to because of this new rule. Genk scored, won the game, and took a big step towards winning the title.
But even after the game, both coaches, and about every pundit or journalist said this should never be a pen, and that this new rule is dumb.
(skip to 1:56)
On Friday, Standard hosted Anderlecht in the 'Belgian clasico' these two hate eachother and stuff always happens when they play. Anderlecht came into this game having started the Playoffs with three straight losses, after already having a terrible year, with fans calling for the president's resignation last week, and with the club in danger of missing out on European football for the first time in 50+ years.
Standard scored an early goal through Halilovic (which was eventually ruled out by the VAR for offside) and immediately Anderlecht 'fans' started bombarding the pitch with fireworks. Play resumed though with Standard thoroughly dominating the game, and after they scored again, more fireworks were thrown onto the pitch once again. The ref stopped play, and players went back inside for about 5-10 minutes. After that, once again play was resumed and in the 30th minute Standard got a PK (VAR decision) and Anderlecht's best defender was sent off (second yellow). The PK went in and with Anderlecht down 2-0 and staring down a humiliating result, again fans started throwing fireworks, and the ref ended the game in the 31st minute.
Nothing has been decided yet but surely Standard will be awarded the win and Anderlecht will be severely punished. This has been a new low for them in a season full of lows already.
There's also been much discussion about how these fans were able to get that much firework flares into the stadium - but really that seems to be a worldwide problem.
And yesterday, Club Brugge travelled to leaders Genk, with a chance to take first place with a win after having started the playoffs on a three game winning streak and getting back to within one point of Genk. With the game tied 1-1 in the second half, Genk were awarded a controversial PK. One of Brugge's defencemen was accidentally hit on his elbow by the ball, he had his back turned so couldn't see the ball, and it wasn't a shot on goal either, so you would think isn't a foul. Yet, some new rule has been put into place that says that even if you have your back turned and it is "ball to hand" (and not otherwise) it should be a pen. Ref initially let the play go on, then went over to watch the VAR screen, and honestly I think he didn't want to give the pen, he just had to because of this new rule. Genk scored, won the game, and took a big step towards winning the title.
But even after the game, both coaches, and about every pundit or journalist said this should never be a pen, and that this new rule is dumb.
(skip to 1:56)
Probably but what's even worst is Genk lead being reduced from 8pts to 4pts to start the "playoffs"...
Savi
Registered User
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Anderlecht have now fired their coach Fred Rutten as wellThey only just hired him in January.
Rutten is a lousy coach anyway.
Savi
Registered User
Neptune Towers
Registered User
Trouble in the Dutch League. As many will know, Ajax have reached the semi final of the Champions League, obviously very unexpected. The Dutch FA usually plans the last two rounds of the competition on the same date, to avoid match fixing and to add tension. Never been a problem. But now it is. Due to the 48 hours rest a team is allowed to have between matches, Ajax can not play on the required sunday. Their opponent is unwilling to move the game to an early friday kick-off, because their fans have jobs and school. Friday evening and Saturday are no option due to
Kings' night and Kingsday. National holidays.
So, now the Dutch FA is willing to move an entire round from the 12th of May to the 19th of May. The need permission from the rest of the teams. Not gonna happen...
Ajax' schedule:
Sa 20th April: Groningen - Ajax (League round 31)
Tu 23rd April: Ajax - Vitesse (League round 32)
Su 28th April: De Graafschap - Ajax (League round 33)
Tu 30th April: CL Semi --> Time between matches is too short
Su 5th May: Cup Final (Not allowed to reschedule)
We 8th May: CL Semi return
Su 12th May: Ajax - Utrecht (League round 34)
Round 32 will move to 28th of April, round 33 will move to 12th of May and round 34 to the 19th of May.
The CL Semi could be switched, so Ajax will play on a Wednesday first, but it will only push forward the problem to the next week.
The Cup final is not moveable.
Kings' night and Kingsday. National holidays.
So, now the Dutch FA is willing to move an entire round from the 12th of May to the 19th of May. The need permission from the rest of the teams. Not gonna happen...
Ajax' schedule:
Sa 20th April: Groningen - Ajax (League round 31)
Tu 23rd April: Ajax - Vitesse (League round 32)
Su 28th April: De Graafschap - Ajax (League round 33)
Tu 30th April: CL Semi --> Time between matches is too short
Su 5th May: Cup Final (Not allowed to reschedule)
We 8th May: CL Semi return
Su 12th May: Ajax - Utrecht (League round 34)
Round 32 will move to 28th of April, round 33 will move to 12th of May and round 34 to the 19th of May.
The CL Semi could be switched, so Ajax will play on a Wednesday first, but it will only push forward the problem to the next week.
The Cup final is not moveable.
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Savi
Registered User
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Ajax just narrowly beat Groningen with 0-1 in Groningen. Huntelaar came in as a sub and scored the game winner before being sent off with two yellows. Hard fought game. I was afraid Kai Sierhuis would score against us. Next up is Vitesse in just 3 days, who beat Zwolle on a hattrick from Bryan Linssen. All three were assisted by Odegaard.
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Theokritos
Global Moderator
- Apr 6, 2010
- 12,541
- 4,937
Huntelaar remains a grade A asshole. I'm glad he is only a sub, otherwise it would be difficult to root for Ajax.
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
That was dirty, indeed. Should've been a direct red card. He's been very important for Ajax, though.
New champions in Greece, PAOK win the league for the first time since 1985. They did this also with a two point deduction. Olympiakos finish 2nd and fail to win the title for 2nd straight season.
In Croatia, Dinamo Zagreb won their 20th title since independence and quite easily. Though this season there is an exciting EL “race”; four teams fighting for the final two spots including a newly promoted side
In Croatia, Dinamo Zagreb won their 20th title since independence and quite easily. Though this season there is an exciting EL “race”; four teams fighting for the final two spots including a newly promoted side
Savi
Registered User
Halfway through the Belgian championship playoffs it certainly looks like Genk will take the title. They've taken 12 out of possible 15 pts so far and head into the final stretch with a 6 point lead.
1. Genk 44
2. Brugge 38
3. Standard 36
4. Antwerp 35
5. Anderlecht 27
6. Gent 26
Some silver lining for Brugge: they have 3 home games left, Genk only 2. And Brugge still have to host Genk. If both teams finish tied than Brugge has the tiebreaker as well. However it's hard to see Brugge win out and Genk lose at least twice.
1. Genk 44
2. Brugge 38
3. Standard 36
4. Antwerp 35
5. Anderlecht 27
6. Gent 26
Some silver lining for Brugge: they have 3 home games left, Genk only 2. And Brugge still have to host Genk. If both teams finish tied than Brugge has the tiebreaker as well. However it's hard to see Brugge win out and Genk lose at least twice.
Theokritos
Global Moderator
- Apr 6, 2010
- 12,541
- 4,937
I've been waiting since 1997 for Ajax to rise again, but now that the stars seem to align, if I were to choose between 1) a disappointment, and 2) Huntelaar securing their way to the CL final – well, I'm not sure what my preference would be.
Ajacied
Stay strong Appie! ❤
Fc Twente is returning to the Eredivisie again. Quite a story. They were fined and penalized for tax evasion, were near bankrupt and pretty much had no roster when they were relegated to the second division in 2018. With a lot of smart acquisitions, either bought or loaned, they finished 1st and will return to the Eredivisie they most recently won in 2010. Will be quite a challenge to remain there as they will have to rebuild and be creative again with not much of a budget.
