Ajax need to maintain focus
Standout striker Paulse to miss Telkom Knockout game, but De Sa says he just keeps getting better
AFTER a really tough week, with three games against topclass opposition, Ajax Cape Town have to ensure they guard against a drop-off in intensity when they head to Durban to take on Golden Arrows in the opening round of the Telkom Knockout this week.
The match is scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Chatsworth (3pm).
Last week, though, Ajax were crowned MTN8 champions when beating Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, they then lost 3-2 to Mamelodi Sundowns in Atteridgeville, near Pretoria, and, over the weekend, they managed a 1-1 draw with Chiefs at the Cape Town Stadium, this time in a PSL fixture.
After such a hectic schedule, there’s no doubt the squad runs the risk of assuming things should be a little easier against newly-promoted Arrows. Coach Roger de Sa’s top priority at training this week is to ensure his men remain focused on the task at hand.
With the Capetonians having had a taste of Cup success recently, this competition offers the club another opportunity for more silverware. But they’ll have to banish any thoughts of “easy opposition” from their thoughts.
The draw against Chiefs in Green Point at the weekend was a real test for Ajax – and the good thing is that they answered all the questions directed at them.
The Soweto club, still stung by the manner in which they were comprehensively outplayed in the MTN8 final last week, came out strong and purposeful this time. Armed with a game plan to thwart the Cape side’s strengths, Amakhosi dominated the opening 45 minutes – and it was only the agility and brilliance of Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola that ensured the score remained goalless at half-time.
Ajax then re-grouped at the break and came out looking far more cohesive and primed in the second half. They found their rhythm and were again able to put Chiefs under pressure, especially with veteran striker Nathan Paulse getting into the game and unsettling the Chiefs defence with his aerial power and abrasiveness.
And, even when Ajax went behind after Chiefs netted on the counter through Edward Manqele, the Capetonians weren’t deterred. They knuckled down, continued to play, and were rewarded with a magnificent headed, equalising goal from the inimitable man-of-the-moment, Paulse.
De Sa was full of praise for 33-year-old Paulse’s contribution over the last few weeks.
“Thirty-something, and he’s getting better and better…” said the Ajax coach. “It’s probably the best he’s played in a long time. He’s been carrying the team. But he’s suspended now (after picking up a fourth yellow against Chiefs) and will miss the next game. It’s a well-deserved break.” So what about those questions? Was the win over Chiefs last week just a flash in the pan? No. Is this an Ajax squad that needs to be taken seriously this season? Yes. Does this young team have the necessary grit and guts to sustain a good run during this campaign? A resounding, unequivocal yes.
There was courage and perseverance in abundance on Saturday… there’s no doubt that Chiefs’ main objective was to be as physical, aggressive and intimidating as the match officials would allow. But never, not once, did these Ajax youngsters take a step back. They got stuck in – and gave as good as they got.
“We were a lot better in the second half,” said De Sa. “We were a bit lucky in the first half, but we played a bit more in the second and created a few chances. “Also, the great thing is that, after we conceded a goal, we continued to play pretty well, and it was good to see that we bounced back straight away.”