Fuente : UEFA (English)
http://www.uefa.com/

Babel strikes first blow for Ajax

/noticias.info/ Ryan Babel scored the winner 12 minutes from time as AFC Ajax defeated PSV Eindhoven 2-1 at the Amsterdam ArenA on Friday to win the Dutch Super Cup for the fifth time as Danny Blind's side continued their preparations for next week's league kick-off in positive fashion.

Weakened Ajax
Ajax went into the match, otherwise known as the Johan Cruyff Schaal, weakened by injuries after a disappointing showing in the Amsterdam tournament. Defender Hatem Trabelsi was sidelined with concussion, goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg was out with a shoulder injury and winger Nicolae Mitea had a knee problem. But the Amsterdam side made light of those setbacks, battling back to claim victory after falling a goal behind.

Scoreless half
Both teams were below their best in the first half. Dutch champions and domestic cup-winners PSV sat back in the early exchanges and let last season's league runners-up Ajax take the initiative. Hedwiges Maduro and Nourdin Boukhari both had chances for Blind's side in the first half, while for PSV Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Jefferson Farfán also missed presentable opportunities before the teams went in level at half-time.

Bouma strike
Early in the second half PSV turned the game in their favour when Wilfred Bouma converted following a clever back-heel by Alex after a corner. PSV then seemed content to defend their lead, passing the initiative to Ajax, who capitalised through Boukhari.

Boukhari key
In the 72nd minute he curled a beautiful free-kick into the top corner, and just six minutes later was on hand again to tee up Ryan Babel who fired in the winning goal to secure Ajax the first silverware of the Dutch season.
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