Ajax 5-0 NAC
25 August 2012
Arena Amsterdam
Att 48,785 (see below)
Ajax Away
We've done a match review of the stadium at a Dutch home match recently but we thought we would give a little insight into the away day experience at Ajax. Most hoppers will have experienced the impressive match experience from the home fans perspective, quality rail access, restaurants and bars outside the ground, escalators and all the creature comforts in the home end.
So now experience the game from the away fans perspective.
Ajax away is nearly always the dreaded bus combi, compulsory bus travel for away fans; straight to the stadium and straight out. So, once off the motorway and having run the gauntlet of home fans 'waving' you arrive in the north east corner of the stadium in the secure away bus compound. No pre match drink and meal this time. Through the turnstiles and after body checks you reach the next difference to the home end, the column of hell (left).....187 steps, no escalators, up three stories of car parking and two tiers of stadium. No worries, you will still be able to get a drink, non alcoholic of course.
And so into the away end, clear fencing surround and netting, whilst you wait for the game to start (normally at least 1.5 hours). Still you can always look at all the championship banners around the stadium (reminding you of how inadequate your club is), marvel at the big blue chip sponsors (reminding you how inadequate your club is) read the ring of honour (reminding you how inadequate your club is) or watch highlights of key games and adverts for up coming Champions League games on the video scoreboard (yep inadequate again).
The home fans start to arrive, beer and pizza in hand, and settle in to watch another easy Ajax win. NAC duely obliged, caving in as early as the 2nd and 11th minutes, rendering the rest of the game damage limitation.
The 77 away fans tried to make themselves heard, but it is futile. It would be if the away end was fuller.
The crowd is announced to laughter from the 77. We all know it is not full, not even close. Empty seats everywhere and you can make out the horrific seat pattern in the stand behind the goal (see below). But in Ajax's defense this is not a Jupiler League special, Dordrecht style. Iit's not their fault, they have sold the seats to season ticket holders and businesses. It's just the fans can't be bothered to turn up for an 8:45pm start against NAC. After all it is NAC, not PSV or Feijenoord so why bother.... it will be an easy win.
And so the game ends (at last), we wait for the hold back, climb down the 187 steps, and return the way we come (past more 'waving' fans). Still, as one of the NAC stewards commented, at least that is done for another year.
To be fair to Ajax, the 'experience' is no worse than alot of away games. It just harder to take here. It's a harsh reminder that the difference between the haves and have nots is as big in Holland as anywhere.
So now experience the game from the away fans perspective.
Ajax away is nearly always the dreaded bus combi, compulsory bus travel for away fans; straight to the stadium and straight out. So, once off the motorway and having run the gauntlet of home fans 'waving' you arrive in the north east corner of the stadium in the secure away bus compound. No pre match drink and meal this time. Through the turnstiles and after body checks you reach the next difference to the home end, the column of hell (left).....187 steps, no escalators, up three stories of car parking and two tiers of stadium. No worries, you will still be able to get a drink, non alcoholic of course.
And so into the away end, clear fencing surround and netting, whilst you wait for the game to start (normally at least 1.5 hours). Still you can always look at all the championship banners around the stadium (reminding you of how inadequate your club is), marvel at the big blue chip sponsors (reminding you how inadequate your club is) read the ring of honour (reminding you how inadequate your club is) or watch highlights of key games and adverts for up coming Champions League games on the video scoreboard (yep inadequate again).
The home fans start to arrive, beer and pizza in hand, and settle in to watch another easy Ajax win. NAC duely obliged, caving in as early as the 2nd and 11th minutes, rendering the rest of the game damage limitation.
The 77 away fans tried to make themselves heard, but it is futile. It would be if the away end was fuller.
The crowd is announced to laughter from the 77. We all know it is not full, not even close. Empty seats everywhere and you can make out the horrific seat pattern in the stand behind the goal (see below). But in Ajax's defense this is not a Jupiler League special, Dordrecht style. Iit's not their fault, they have sold the seats to season ticket holders and businesses. It's just the fans can't be bothered to turn up for an 8:45pm start against NAC. After all it is NAC, not PSV or Feijenoord so why bother.... it will be an easy win.
And so the game ends (at last), we wait for the hold back, climb down the 187 steps, and return the way we come (past more 'waving' fans). Still, as one of the NAC stewards commented, at least that is done for another year.
To be fair to Ajax, the 'experience' is no worse than alot of away games. It just harder to take here. It's a harsh reminder that the difference between the haves and have nots is as big in Holland as anywhere.