Ajax seek happy ending to sad week

By Berend Scholten

This weekend's big match in the Dutch Eredivisie - today's showdown between third-placed AFC Ajax and AZ Alkmaar, the team directly above them - has been overshadowed by the death of former Ajax and Netherlands coach Rinus Michels.

Silent tribute
A minute's silence will precede kick-off at the Amsterdam ArenA, while the home side will wear black armbands in honour of the man who brought Ajax the first of their four European Champion Clubs' Cups in 1971. The current crop could also pay tribute to the great man by claming a vital victory. Before Sunday;s games Ajaxed trail Alkmaar by four points, and leaders PSV by another four, with second position at least guaranteeing entry to the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.

'Not over yet'
However, Ajax caretaker coach Ruud Krol, standing in for Ronald Koeman who resigned last Friday, is looking beyond the runners-up spot. "I know we have fallen behind [our usual standards] so far this season, but the league is not over until the medals are handed out at the end," said Krol, who led the club into the Dutch Cup semi-finals on Wednesday.

Adriaanse's alchemy
Krol will hope to recover captain Rafael van der Vaart from the flu bug that has kept him out for two weeks. The forward will certainly be needed against an Alkmaar team who, under the command of former Ajax boss Co Adriaanse, have been the season's surprise package. Adriaanse has Alkmaar playing the kind of attractive attacking - not to mention winning - football that has been sorely missed at Ajax in recent times.

Returning bodies
The visitors' main injury worry is goalkeeper Henk Timmer, who suffered concussion during last weekend's 3-1 win at Willem II. Adriaanse is confident the custodian will play. "He will be back in goal on Sunday," he said. Left-back Tim de Cler should also feature against his old club after the Royal Netherlands Football Association revoked his red card against Roda JC on 20 February.

Itching for victory
Alkmaar will want to be at full strength. The last time they won this fixture, in October 1980 - with a 2-1 victory - they went on to claim their one and only Dutch championship.