QPR v. Ajax (Pre-Season Matchday 3) [R]

[Atouk]

QPR v. Ajax
July 21, 2004, 7:45 p.m.
Loftus Road
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From the official site (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~543112,00.html), tonight's starting lineups:

"Ajax coach Ronald Koeman has selected Brazilian Maxwell and South Africa starlet Steven Pienaar amongst his starting line up, in a warm-up game which will see the bench worked well for both managers.

The Rangers squad also includes a potential Loftus Road showing for a number of trialists for Rangers."

Rangers: Day, Bignot, Padula, Bean, Rose, Gnohere, Rowlands, Johnson, McLeod, Thorpe, Furlong
Subs: Gallen, Cureton, Forbes, Hjelde, Hamilton, Daly, Blanco, Perry

Ajax: Stekelenburg, Obodai, Maduro, De Jong, Emanuelson, De Ridder, De Mul, Maxwell, Anastasiou, Pienaar, Mitea
Subs: Vonk, Escude, Sikora, Lindgren, Soetaers

[QPR Kevin H]

QPR 0 - Ajax 1

Not a whole lot to report from Loftus Road last night. A good crowd, nice night and fantastic football from the Dutch giants. Really gave us a lesson on positional play and pushed the ball around the pitch perfectly.

We hung with them at times, but really don't have the quickness or skill to seriously challenge them. Our defense was well organised and Day had a solid match - that's probably what kept Ajax from a couple more goals. They also hit both posts on a diving header - keeping a second out.

We played with Furlong and Thorpe up front in the first half. Olly has not yet played our (presumed) first choice pairing of Gallen/Furlong in the preseason. I wonder what his motivation is there - perhaps looking to see if Thorpe or Cureton warrant a place with Furlong. Cureton had a decent match in the 2nd and has looked much better in the preseason than he did last year.

Marcus Bean looked good in central midfield - running like crazy and tackling well against quality opposition. Gallen was used in midfield for a spell in the 2nd half, which (as usual) was a total waste. The moment he moved back up front, he created a scoring chance. But, once Cook is healthy, I don't think we'll have to worry about Gallen in midfield this season. However, Kevin might have to compete for his spot up front with Cureton. Never thought I'd say that after last season - but we do need some quickness to compliment Furlong.

[Atouk]

As always, thanks for your first-hand account (can't rep you again so soon, but you deserve it!). I was hoping you'd get to see John O'Brien, but you never know what his injury situation is and he wasn't even listed on their bench, plus reports are that Ajax was going with a fairly young side.

The official site has several stories on the match, including a nice photo page (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~543383,00.html), Olly's thoughts (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~543309,00.html), and a full match report (http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10373~543116,00.html).

[QPR Kevin H]

I was hoping you'd get to see John O'Brien, but you never know what his injury situation is and he wasn't even listed on their bench, plus reports are that Ajax was going with a fairly young side.
I forgot about JOB, but he's got a lot of football coming in the next 3 months, resting him is probably the best option. To be honest, I got to the ground a few minutes late and had a load of pints beforehand, did'nt know who was playing for Ajax - but saw they were damn good!

[Atouk]

Kevin, how was the crowd?
To be honest, I got to the ground a few minutes late and had a load of pints beforehand, Sounds like a good time!

FYI, I'm already booked to be there for the Leicester(Saturday)/Coventry(Tuesday) double in late September and am looking at the Derby(Saturday)/Swansea(Tuesday) double in August.

[QPR Kevin H]

Kevin, how was the crowd?
Sounds like a good time!
Crowd was quite good really - just under 10k with SAR, School Lower and the Lower Loft open. I think the club were hedging their bets on that being the number and did not want to pay for staff and security for all stands. There was actually a bit of trouble in the School End - apparently some Dutch numpties made their way over - bizarre really.

FYI, I'm already booked to be there for the Leicester(Saturday)/Coventry(Tuesday) double in late September and am looking at the Derby(Saturday)/Swansea(Tuesday) double in August.

I'll still be here for Derby and Swansea (Sheff Utd my last match) - so will see you then. By the way, the Bushranger is being redone and looks to be a ways off completion. They said mid-August but we'll see. I'm perfectly comfortable in the Goldhawk though. Will be interesting to see the "new" BR when its done.

[Atouk]

I'll still be here for Derby and Swansea (Sheff Utd my last match) - so will see you then. By the way, the Bushranger is being redone and looks to be a ways off completion. They said mid-August but we'll see. I'm perfectly comfortable in the Goldhawk though. Will be interesting to see the "new" BR when its done.Thanks for the info on the BR.

I have now booked a flight to be there for Derby/Swansea, so I'll see you before you leave.

Also, US Airways seems to have a great unadvertised sale going on at the moment. Although some days aren't available, if you're booking from November to February and traveling from DCA (or IAD) to LGW on a M/T/W and returning on a M/T/W, the r/t with taxes comes up under $300!

My girlfriend and I decided to book one in February (fly out Wednesday night, 2/9; QPR v. PNE at Loftus Road on Saturday, 2/12; return on Monday, Valentine's Day) and we got the roundtrip for $287.90 each ($178 r/t airfare plus taxes)! If you're thinking of going back over this season after your return to DC, you may want to check it out!