The fans, players and management had been waiting for this game for twenty-four years; ADO playing at home in a European competition and for the first time ever in the Kyocera stadion. An almost sell out crowd gave the players a very vibrant and loud welcome. There was such a feeling of excitement and pride inside the stadium it was amazing, goose bumps over the skin time.

ADO's starting eleven

The game however, did not live up to the expectation. ADO put out an attacking line-up, but from the start it seemed quite clear that FK Tauras were not going to try too hard to get the two goals they needed to progress at ADO’s expense, but looked happier preventing a goal rout. With Verhoek and new man Mark Hocher swapping the wing they played on, created havoc in the first ten minutes of the game as the visitors struggled to mark the ADO forwards. The pressure was there, but no clear cut chances.

The game then went into a period of dull lifeless football, a slow hand clap started at one point and the atmosphere totally died. It was an odd game to watch considering what was at stake. I could have expected ADO to sit back and fill the back line with six or seven defenders and just hold on to their lead, but it was the exact opposite. It was easy to tell this was still the early part of the season as ADO ticked over nicely but without hitting anything like their peak.

Finally in the first minute of first half stoppage time, ADO got a break through. A cross from Verhoek on the left was swung in that forced the FK Tauras keeper Oleksandr Borysenko to come off his line and try to clear the ball, his attempt was weak and the ball fell kindly to Toornstra who volleyed it into the back of the net with his right foot, 1-0.

The second half began much as the first one had, ADO, the more committed to the cause.                         Mark Hocher breaks forward

During this early spell ADO played some extremely good football, the passing was crisp and accurate; at times Verhoek and Toornstra really turned it on, combining on more than one occasion with some Brazilianesque flicks and back-heeled passes. This got the crowd a little more excited.

As the match progressed another of ADO’s new players Tjaronn Chery became more of an influence, looking strong and keen to show his midfield prowess. The ADO team were starting to look like a solid unit and eventually a second goal had to come.

In the eightieth minute Immers carried the ball forward to the edge of the penalty area, and after having what he would call a nightmare game due to his finishing touch going missing, he played a ball to his left to Chery just outside the area, turning into his shot, Chery struck a left foot shot which flew over the keepers head and into the net, stunning goal and what a way to open your first team account.

In the eighty sixth minute Chery was replaced and given a great ovation from the home support. The player who came on was another new man making his home debut.                                Toornstra celebrates his goal

The flying winger Jaap van Duijn entered the field of play to what was an astonishing welcome. The crowd went crazy and chanted his name for the rest of the game. He seems to have become an instant hit with the fans and wow is he fast!

The final whistle blew and the crowd cheered, all the ADO players went up to van Duijn to tease him before Verhoek pushed him forward to acknowledge the crowds magnificent response to him, a new ADO star is born?

There was another point of interest last night. Bulykin was in the stands watching his old team mates play. This of course got the rumour mill going like wild fire. It is known he wants to come back to ADO, but his club Anderlecht are still clinging to him. If ADO could get him back, I think ADO would have one of the most frightening line-ups in the Eredivisie. The idea of having Bulykin, Immers, Toornstra attacking through the middle, being supplied by Verhoek and van Duijn on the wings makes for an exciting prospect! The midfield is strong and the defence still needs a little work. ADO this season will now have a lot more strength in depth and look as though they will cope with injuries much better than last, at this early stage, it looks great for our local team.

Verhoek forces new crowd favourite Jaap van Duijn to the front

ADO man of the Match; Tjaronn Chery, almost the perfect home debut, contributed well throughout and crowned his performance with a goal.

Attendance: 13,111

Next home game in the Europa League is Thursday 4th August against Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus; kick-off time has yet to be announced.

Next home league game and first game of the new Dutch football season is on Sunday 7 August against Vitesse Arnhem. Kick-off time is 14:30. It is an open sale so the owning of a clubcard is not necessary. You may collect tickets from the stadium ticket office as long as you provide legitimate photo ID such as driving license or passport.

Stadium ticket office is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 12:00 – 18:00 and on Thursday 12:00 – 20:00 and on the day of the game itself from 12:00.

Text & Photos by Neal McClimon
neal@thehagueonline.com
For more photos from this game click here www.itpphotography.com
 

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