FC Twente Enschede vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AFC-Ajax-c38228 Amsterdam – KNVB beker Cup final preview
For the first time in the Dutch football history, two sides battle against each other for two titles in a week’s duration. FC Twente Enschede take on Ajax Amsterdam in the final of KNVB beker Cup at the De Kuip Stadion on Sunday, May 8, a week before the
two sides meet again in the Eredivisie title-deciding clash at Amsterdam Arena.
Both, the Tukkers and the Amsterdammers, would be hopeful of a domestic double. Ajax won their last double in the 2001/02 season, while it would be the first time for FC Twente should they manage to achieve that feat.
A thrilling contest awaits us in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Feyenoord-c39258 as both sides prepare to wrap up the season in some style.
FC Twente Enschede
With the departures of top players such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kenneth-Perez-c20610 and Ronnie Stam coupled with the exit of Coach Steve McClaren, many believed that the Tukkers were a spent force and predicted a mediocre campaign. Joop Munsterman, the Tukkers president,
drafted in the likes of Nacer Chadli, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denny-Landzaat-c10934 and the Belgian trainer Michel Preud’homme.
From brink of bankruptcy in 2003 to a shower of prizes in 2010 and now possibly in 2011 as well, Munsterman has acted like a true magician while in charge of the outfit.
The Tukkers have conceded only three goals in their KNVB beker Cup campaign this season. They have lost only once in their 10 Cup matches and now stand only a win away from lifting their third KNVB beker Cup trophy.
Preud’homme can definitely look back on his debut season with pride. In spite of a chaotic year marred with incidents, the Belgian trainer stands precisely where he wanted to – top of the Eredivisie table and in the final of the Dutch cup.
AFC Ajax Amsterdam
The Amsterdammers have a far less experienced manager, Frank de Boer, who won numerous titles as a player. Following the unanticipated departure of Martin Jol in December 2010, Boer was given De Joden’s leadership and he has proven more than capable of handling
the managerial hot seat.
The outfit from Amsterdam have fought hard to get back into the title race while also reaching the cup final. The 40-year-old tactician has the blessings of legendary Johan Cruijff and looks set to have a bright future with the club he committed himself
to as a youth.
Ajax have played brilliantly in their Dutch Cup campaign this season and have conceded only two goals, one of those being an own-goal. They have not lost once in their 10 Cup fixtures and stand a win away from lifting their first trophy of the season.
Team news
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Twente-c39233 Enschede
Nicky Kuiper will be the only notable absentee for Preud’homme as the tactician has an almost full strength squad to choose from.
Probable Line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luuk-de-Jong-c22956, Nacer Chadli.
Ajax Amsterdam
De Boer will have to do without the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maarten-Stekelenburg-c22998. Hamdaoui is sidelined with a hamstring injury while goalkeeper Stekelenburg has an injured thumb.
Probable Line-up: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lorenzo-Ebecilio-c22428.
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bryan-Ruiz-c8180 – FC Twente Enschede
Ruiz was sidelined for most of the season with an injury but he showed his quality against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Willem-II-c40945 Tilburg recently. He would certainly play a key role should the Tukkers manage to emerge victorious.
Siem de Jong – Ajax Amsterdam
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder has been in exceptional form this season, scoring 10 goals in 31 league appearances. It will be hard for the Tukkers defence to restrict the attacking midfielder from finding the back of the net.
Prediction
It would be a hard-fought match that is unlikely to find a winner in the regular 90 minutes. The Amsterdammers will edge out the final in extra time with a 2-1 score line.
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