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Ajax Amsterdam is one of most famous clubs in the Netherlands and possibly in Europe. With a rich history of both domestic and European titles, Ajax are always entertaining to watch. On Live Sports Network, you can watch Ajax live via online streaming of Eredivisie matches through our dedicated members area.

Whether at home or away, in European or domestic competition, every football fan should have the chance to watch Ajax live at some point in their lives. If you can’t get a ticket, why not join us here at Free-Football.TV and catch live Ajax games courtesy of Live Sports Network.

Martin Jol’s Ajax are still wondering how they managed to finish second behind FC Twente after scoring a record breaking 106 goals last season. Despite UEFA Champions League qualification and an 18th Dutch Cup win, winning the Eredivisie title still remains high on their agenda and as the last of their record 29 titles came in 2004.

Jol himself could have been Fulham’s new manager but Ajax were determined to hold on to their man. He has not rested since in continuing to build the squad and the arrivals of Mido on a season-long loan from English Championship side Middlesbrough along with securing the services of Morocco international El Hamadaoui from AZ Alkmaar on a four year deal. Both deals strength Ajax’s forward line offering support for Luis Suarez.

36-year old veteran defender Andre Ooijer also made his way to the Arena from rivals PSV after featuring in Holland’s World Cup campaign including their final defeat to Spain. Heading out is Ismail Aissati who has joined Vitesse Arnhem on loan with a view to a permanent deal. Miralem Sulejmani was on his way to England and West Ham United but he failed to secure a work permit to play in the Premier League.

A Brief History

Ajax was formed in 1900 by Floris Stempel and his friends Carel Reeser, Han and Johan Dade. They won their first ever game 2-1 and Ajax's first silverware came in an intercity cup competition in 1906, when they beat AFC in the final. The club had to wait for a decade before it got promotion to the top Dutch league, but even that joy was short lived, as they went back down quickly.

Enter Jack Reynolds. One of the most interesting things to note about Ajax is the number of English coaches that they had. Reynolds was the first, and probably the most famous in that list. He had three spells at the club, interrupted by a stint with Blauw Wit and the German invasion of Holland, which ended in him being taken away as a prisoner of war. No modern coach could rival him in terms of what he did for the club, with the possible exceptions of Rinus Michels and Louis Vaan Gaal. Reynolds helped Ajax to gain promotion and win the league in 1918. He was chiefly responsible for Ajax becoming synonymous with playing attacking football. The club enjoyed a tremendous run in the 1930's and created a reputation for itself, both at home and abroad. It was also in this decade that Ajax moved to the De Meer Stadium, which would serve as their home till the emergence of the Amsterdam Arena.

In March 1941, Ajax played VUC in the Hague. VUC lead 6-0 at one stage, with Bertus de Harder scoring twice. Ajax staged a remarkable recovery to draw the game 6-6, with Joop Stoffelen scoring the equaliser from the spot. Nine years later, Ajax were involved in another incredible game, but were at the receiving end this time around. Ajax were playing SC Heerenveen and were leading 5-1, with 25 minutes left on the clock. However Abe Lenstra wove his magic for the Frisians and Heerenveen won 6-5.

 

The years after Reynold's departure were mostly spent in reorganising the side. As winners of the first Dutch Eredivisie in 1957, Ajax represented Holland in the European Cup the following season. They beat Wismut in the first round, but were beaten by Hungarian club Vasas in the quarterfinals. They beat Feyenoord Rotterdam in the all Dutch Intertoto Cup final in 1962, thereby claiming their first major European title. In the 1964-65 season, Ajax came dangerously close to being relegated, and Vic Buckingham, the man who gave a young Johan Cruyff a chance to show off his skills, resigned. In stepped Rinus Michels, the man who would revolutionise the side and make them a formidable European outfit. Ajax won three consecutive championships between 1965 and 1968, also winning the Cup in 1967. They lost the 1969 European Cup final to Milan, but went on to win the 1971 final by beating Panathaniakos. Michels left for Barcelona and Stefan Kovacs took his place. In the next two finals, Ajax successfully defended their title, beating Inter and Juventus respectively. Slowly, the team started to disintegrate after the departure of Cruyff. In the 1973-74 European Cup, they lost to CSKA Sofia in the first round. A mini revival began in the late 70's and early 80's, with several domestic titles being added to the trophy cabinet. Continental success was limited though, and the fans were forced to wait till 1987, when the club beat Lokomotive Leipzig to win the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. They came close to retaining the title next year, but were upset by little known Mechelen in the final.

Louis Vaan Gaal arrived at De Meer in 1991, and guided the club to the 1992 UEFA Cup. That year also saw the emergence of Dennis Bergkamp. Between 1993 and 1996, Ajax snapped up three more Eredivisie titles, and the club won the Champions League in 1995. Patrick Kluivert, another Ajax youth academy product, scored the winner in the 85th minute against A.C. Milan. Ajax played another Italian team in the 1996 final, but lost 2-4 on penalties, with Edgar Davids and Sonny Silooy missing their spot kicks. Under Ronald Koeman, the club reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League in 2002, but lost to A.C. Milan, who eventually went on to win the title.

No other team has won the Eredivisie as many times as Ajax, and it will need some real effort on the part of PSV and Feyenoord if they are to overtake Ajax. The club is listed on the Euronext Stock Exchange. Ajax also have clubs named after them in America and South Africa.

 

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