Accidental hero
Memories of Total Football are fading fast in Amsterdam, as Ajax struggle to offer resistance to PSV in the Dutch league. Some twenty points behind the leaders, there’s little to cheer fans of the four-time European Cup winners. But the hardcore who attended the Jong Ajax youth team match against Cambuur Leeuwarden on 20th September last year were treated to a spectacular goal to remind them of past glories.
With Ajax already leading by two, Belgian midfielder Jan Vertonghen picked up the ball wide on the left of the pitch. Totally unchallenged by his opponents and thriving in the absence of pressure, the teenager managed to beat the ‘keeper from about forty yards!
If only he’d meant it.
This goal began with an alleged injury to Ajax’s Derk Boerrigter. As he thrashed about on the turf, somewhat unconvincingly, Cambuur knocked the ball out of play to allow for urgent treatment - or acting lessons. It’s not quite clear.
When play restarted, the Cambuur players fully expected to get the ball back - just not in the centre circle. Vertonghen’s effort to return possession was a little overhit.
Based on the cheers of the Ajax fans, you could be forgiven for thinking that the concept of fair play hadn’t reached the Netherlands. But UEFA missionaries must have reached the manager, John van der Brom. He allowed his players to concede a goal from the restart without resistance.