Well if you are an ADO supporter you certainly got your fix for the club last weekend.

Saturday’s home game against RKC Waalwijk was as expected a match to see some new ADO faces making their debuts and indeed in the starting line up were John Verhoek and Gabor Horvath.

Players from both teams confront each other

In the opening minute, John Verhoek almost the best ever start to a debut game in the history of football, not just ADO. His first touch was a acrobatic over head kick that he just failed to get a good contact on, welcome John.

For the first half hour; ADO were by far the dominant team. It was there best thirty minutes so far this season. All the players looked up for this game. Every loose ball was chased down; every time a Waalwijk player had the ball he was instantly harassed by ADO players. This work ethic by the home team lifted the crowd and the noise was amazing.

Despite all the possession; ADO could not get that break through that their play deserved, not even close as attack after attack fizzled out in and around the penalty area.

As usually happens in these cases, the lack of finishing costs the team in charge. In the thirty-ninth minute Waalwijk broke forward with quick passing and neat touches, Kevin Braber crossed the ball in from the left and Rick ten Voorde finished the move with a superb right foot volley, one attack and one goal for the visitors. The small band of away supporters who had been silent throughout went berserk, first noise they had made all night long.

The goal deflated the ADO players who looked visibly shaken at going a goal behind, totally against the run of play. So much so that in the forty second minute Geoffrey Castillion was put clear by ten Voorde, Coutinho was out quick to narrow the angle and Castillion watched in despair as he shot hit the base of the post and to safety.

The second half began with the ADO side still looking nervous and at odds with everything, the passing and heart seemed to have gone.

In the fifty-second minute a ball into the ADO penalty saw Waalwijk’s Aaron Meijer in lots of space in the middle of the ADO penalty box, yet his shot was hit against the post and rebounded into the arms of Coutinho, ADO looking very shaky.

The Waalwijk players began to use their size and strength to bully the ADO midfield, and after one heavy challenge too many on Toornstra as he was flattened by Evander Sno. It looked as though things were about to boil over as Ammi lost his cool with the treatment the Waalwijk team were dishing out and went face to face with Guy Ramos, both having to be pulled apart before both receiving yellow cards.

Van Duinen puts his head where it hurts

This incident lit a spark for ADO and the attacks started to come on a regular basis. Wesley Verhoek being a constant threat down the wings, the only thing missing still was the presence of a tall centre forward who could muscle their way into the penalty area and get on the end of the crosses.

There was almost a repeat of the first half in the eighty third minute when Waalwijk broke clear again thanks to an error by Luksik. Roald van Hout had an open chance to double their lead, only the agility of Coutinho who made an amazing double save prevented a second goal.

The final ten minutes ADO huffed and puffed but failed to get the ball in the net.

On two occasions Waalwijk still managed to threaten the ADO goal twice, as ADO left space in at the back as they searched for that elusive equalizer. ADO was hanging on but could not find a way through. The final whistle blew and a few of the ADO players fell to the floor in disbelief. If the game was won on possession, ADO would have won by a clear margin as they must have had the ball for 60% of the game.

After the whistle had blown, Maurice Steijn (pictured right) looked so dejected, I hear one reporter say to someone, he has two games to save his job. My feelings on that remark are, it is a bit too harsh to say that. His new players need time to settle in. There were signs that the players ADO signed want to play and work hard for ADO, a bit of fine tuning is needed. I do not believe ADO are too far away from shocking a few teams again very soon. Just as long as those in charge do not panic, and allow Maurice to do his job.

ADO man of the Match: Wesley Verhoek; Played throughout the match with a drive and purpose top get ADO going..

Attendance: 11, 680

The Family Day

Yesterday Drievliet was the location for the ADO Den Haag family day. A chance to meet the players, get autographs and pictures and also enjoy the theme park and its many attractions. I have to admit I had my doubts about ticket sales for this event, but I was happy enough to be proved wrong. There was a great turn out and a fun atmosphere for everybody to enjoy.

The first presentation was of the ADO ladies team, the whole squad given a great cheer as they came onto the stage. They were a lot more relaxed than the men’s team when they came on a few minutes later.

ADO Ladies Squad

After a squad presentation early on, the players were sent off to different rides and attractions throughout the park, allowing it to feel a lot more free and easy; making is not as crushed for signings etc as happen at the other family days when all the players are together. This meant there were far more happy faces around as the children and their parents could get closer to the players and have that bit of extra time for some one on one interaction.

There were plenty of stalls that were being run by different fan groups, selling shirts and other souvenirs, a blaze of green and yellow enjoying the park despite the gloomy looking weather.

Wesley Verhoek and a fan

It was easy to spot who the favourites were in the squad. Wesley Verhoek, Jens Toornstra, Gino Coutinho had huge queues around them and they looked as though there were thoroughly enjoying themselves. The kids faces were ful of delight at being close to their heroes and having pictures taken with them, the parents were just as made up too when they posed with the players.

I have a feeling Drievliet will be the venue for the next the family day next season.

Next home game is on Saturday, 24 September against VVV Venlo. Kick-off time is 19:45. 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.

The ticket office is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 12.00 – 18.00. and on Thursday 12.00 -20.00.

Text & Photos by Neal McClimon

www.itpphotography.com

neal@thehagueonline.com

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