Scoring and winning at Ajax: 'There is not much more beautiful'

Scoring and winning at Ajax: 'There is not much more beautiful'
5 min

Ajax - PSV has a rich history with many memorable moments. It is not everyone's cup of tea, but several former players have scored and won at the Amsterdam club. A look back and ahead with three PSV players who scored and won in an away match against Ajax.

Ajax - PSV 1-3, March 27, 1976, Willy van de Kerk hof
"I can still remember that. I believe that was in the Olympic Stadium," Willy van de Kerkhof said cheerfully. "Games like that stay in my memory a bit longer anyway." Sophisticated attacks brought PSV the three points that match. Van de Kerkhof provided the final chord in that game just before time. "In those matches the preparation is something different. You lived towards that enormously."

Ajax - PSV 1-4, December 4, 1977, again Van de Kerk hof
Two seasons later, Van de Kerkhof again played an important role in the encounter with Ajax. Within half an hour, the vacuum cleaner of yesteryear took PSV single-handedly to a 0-2 lead. "I didn't score very much, but against Ajax I did," he says with a laugh. "Those are great fun matches with different internationals. That also makes it interesting for the national coach. It was the same in those days." Despite missing star player Willy van der Kuijlen, PSV was unapproachable in that match. Jan Poortvliet and Harry Lubse provided the other PSV goals, and Ruud Geels got on the scoreboard on behalf of Ajax.

'I see possibilities '
About the upcoming meeting between Ajax and PSV, Van de Kerkhof is opportunistic. "I expect PSV to offer good resistance. I do see possibilities. Ajax is missing important players with Daley Blind and Hakim Ziyech." The former PSV and Dutch national team midfielder predicts a 1-2 victory for Ernest Faber's team. "And then preferably with a winning goal in the 92nd minute haha. "

Willy van de Kerkhof looks ahead Willy van de Kerkhof looks ahead

Ajax - PSV 1-4, December 16, 1984, Ernie Brandts
"We had a good team and a tactical plan devised for that match. That plan worked. Ajax did suit us as an opponent," Ernie Brandts looks back. The former PSV defender cannot remember much about the match. But that he provided the opening goal with a right header comes as no surprise to Brandts. "I've made so many," jokes the current FC Eindhoven coach. It was a specialty of Brandts. "With game replacements I always came up and that way I still scored a goal every now and then." Two goals by René van der Gijp and one by Michel Valke eventually brought PSV a big win. John Bosman saved the Amsterdam honor in the final minutes.

'The team must rise above itself '
"A lot has happened," Brandts said of PSV's current situation. "The team has to rise above itself if it wants a result Sunday. They have to put everything aside. But PSV may well come out surprisingly ahead, although Ajax is slightly stronger at the moment. I expect the game to end in a draw."

Ernie Brandts in action for PSV Ernie Brandts in action for PSV

Ajax - PSV 1-3, Nov. 25, 2001, Theo Lucius
PSV had a lightning start in the ArenA. Within 15 minutes, the multipurpose Theo Lucius doubled the lead. Six minutes after Mateja Kezman opened the scoring. "Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink headed the ball back, I took it once and shot a dropkick into the crossbar," Lucius recalled. "It was a wonderful, euphoric feeling to score such a fantastic goal there. There is not much more beautiful." PSV eventually won the game 1-3. Dennis Rommedahl brought the team to 0-3 ten minutes before time, and in the closing stages André Bergdølmo did something back from the penalty spot. "Ajax away always brings something extra. We had a top team. In those days, we almost never lost to Ajax," says the former player. Between 1995-1996 and 2003-2004, PSV did not lose an Eredivisie game to Ajax. A run of seventeen matches kept PSV unbeaten in meetings with Ajax in the Eredivisie.

'Team to beat '
Lucius expects a lot from the upcoming edition. "The pressure is on Ajax. As the leaders, they are the team to beat. It is important for PSV to play free football. The players must go through fire for each other and get the maximum out of each other. I predict that PSV will win 1-2," Lucius said.

Theo Lucius with Wilfred Bouma Theo Lucius with Wilfred Bouma