Ajax ace hit by knee injury
Monday, September 9, 2002
Article summary
AFC Ajax will be without Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart for two months.
Article body
AFC Ajax have lost Dutch international midfield player Rafael van der Vaart for two months after he was injured playing for the Netherlands.
Knee trouble
The 19-year-old was a key player as Ajax won the domestic title last season and was expected to lead their UEFA Champions League first group stage campaign. However, he injured his left knee ligaments in the second half of the national team's 3-0 victory over Belarus on Saturday.
'Feels stiff'
The injury happened when he tried to break through the Belarus defence and was blocked just outside the box. "I beat one player and then the next," he told Ajax's website. "Then I was kicked and twisted my knee. My knee feels stiff but the diagnosis still has to be made. It gets me down but I don't show it. I hope to be able to play in a few weeks."
Bitter blow
Full tests will be carried out on Van der Vaart later this week. The injury will be a bitter blow as he missed most of the latter stages of last season after two cartilage operations. However, Ajax have a ready-made replacement in former forward Jari Litmanen, who arrived back at the Amsterdam club today. The Finnish international has rejoined on a free transfer from Liverpool FC.
