| by Thijs Zwagerman
Ajax Under 17 started the Future Cup flawlessly on Saturday. The first two group matches were both won 2-0, meaning that the team of trainer Yuri Rose is already with one leg in the semi-finals. What things stood out during the victories over Pachuca CF and Borussia Mönchengladbach?
Lean on strong defense
After the first day of the Future Cup, Ajax keeper Tommy Setford’s goal is still clean. The English youth international was hardly even tested against Pachuca CF and Borussia Mönchengladbach and mainly had to intervene with a few high crosses from the flanks. The reason for this is that Ajax O17 has things well organized defensively. Precious Ugwu and Dies Janse form a stable central duo, while backs Ryan van de Pavert and Yasser El Aissatti – who normally rely mainly on their footballing qualities – also made a strong impression defensively.
In addition, Ajax’s controlling midfielders were in excellent order. In often changing compositions, Ajax – with the exception of phases in the first half against Pachuca – constantly maintained the defensive balance. Against Borussia Mönchengladbach, originally O16 player Lyfe Oldenstam stood out in this respect. The youngster played like an experienced force. He closed dangerous spaces, had important interceptions and was also a resting point in possession of the ball. Surrounded by Lucas Jetten, who also played well, Avery Appiah and Tijn Peters, who was injured in the match against Pachuca, Ajax linked defensive insight and fierceness in midfield to footballing ability.
Searching in possession
A little higher on the field, Ajax had more trouble with that. Against Borussia Mönchengladbach, a striking line-up of five defenders was the basis for this in the first half, because Ajax was short of a player higher up the field to be able to combine through the ashes. Against Pachuca there was clearly a lot of tension among the Ajax players, because sloppy passes and assumptions then led to a restless field game. Thanks to two good goals from striker Shedrach Ebite, one of the big eye-catchers on this first tournament day, Ajax still won relatively easily against the Mexicans.
But the field game against both Pachuca and Borussia Mönchengladbach was quite a distance from the often sparkling and attractive football that Ajax U17 usually shows in the national competition. That may change from now on, now that the Ajax talents have smelled the Future Cup podium and know better what they can expect from this. The last group match against Juventus, which lost 4-2 to Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday, is a nice test in this respect on Sunday.
Redemptive hit from Wolff?
Before the Future Cup, many eyes were on Kayden Wolff. The left winger has made an impression in recent weeks at the Orange O17 and Ajax O18, so that he was logically seen as one of the star players of Ajax O17 towards the Future Cup. In the first two group matches, Wolff was a bit out of place in that regard. Where players like Jan Faberski, Don O’niel and striker Ebite were very active and even without everything succeeding, these players posed a lot of threat, Wolff looked unfamiliar.
The attacker showed little confidence in his actions and was clearly searching, so his beautiful goal against Borussia Mönchengladbach could serve as a redemption. With about his first successful action of the tournament, Wolff made a nice rush from the halfway line and convincingly drove the 2-0 into the roof of the goal. It was Wolff’s last achievement at the Future Cup for the time being, because the wing attacker was taken to the side immediately afterwards. But with this beautiful goal in our pocket, we will hopefully see more of Wolff in top form in the remainder of the Future Cup.
Thys Zwagerman (Twitter: @ThijsZwagerman | e-mail: [email protected])
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