Chapter 15: 15
The next game of the week arrived soon and without the slightest surprise Ravier was selected to start. They were going to face ADO Den Haag.
- Hello everyone we are going to attend the match opposing Ajax and ADO Den Haag.
- After several weeks we hope that the second part of the championship is going well. The Ajax team is at the top of the standings, just three points behind PSV Eindhoven. Let's see the composition of the two teams.
AFC Ajax 433.
Goalkeeper: Ravier
Defender: Grygera, Heitinga, Escude, Maxwell.
Midfielder: De Jong, Galásek, Van Der Vaart.
Striker: Sikora, Ibrahim, Sneijder.
ADO Den Haag 532
Goalkeeper: De Vries.
Defender: Rijaard, Youssef Leonardo, Alberto.
Midfielder: Simon, Ferrie, Leegte, Toda, Oulida, Van As.
Striker: Castelen.
Ravier arrived at his goal, without any expression on his face, very focused.
On the field, the referee whistled for the start of the game. Ajax's biggest change is at the level of the goalkeeper since Lebont was injured.
Ibrahim passed to Galásek who passed back to De Jong. He made a long pass and found Sikora on the wing. After receiving the pass, Sikora does not choose to continue on the wing, he chooses to attack the line of defense inside, drawing the attention of the defender and then passes to Galásek.
After receiving the pass, he originally wanted to shoot in goal, but Ibrahim's timely cries changed his mind.
So, Galásek sent him a through ball, Ibrahim received the pass and so, formed a single pole. The only remained person in front of him is goalkeeper. How can he missed this opportunity.
Goalllll
- The goal has been scored. A perfect start. Ajax beat the opposing team's goal in just a few minutes.
In the 20th minutes of the game, Sikora score another goal.
Some time later in the 39th minute, Sneijder score a goal.
In the thirty-three minute, ADO Den Haag decided to attack and, on this action, obtained a direct free kick.
- Ibrahim, take two steps to the right.
It's a free kick on the left. Ravier ordered the placement of the players a bit to prevent the opponent from hitting the close corner as much as possible.
After ordering the wall, Ravier got into position in turn.
Ferrie, a right-handed player, took the first free kick.
Under normal circumstances, most right-handed players will choose the near corner, but the near corner is a test of footwork. Ravier's layout of the wall is therefore to force the opponent to kick into the far corner.
Right now, all eyes are on Ravier.
After the referee's whistle, Ferrie stepped forward with his left foot and drew his right foot towards the ball.
- Ferrie always chooses the close angle. He seems to be very confident in his footwork and the ball will surely fly towards the goal.
Ferrie took a very good free kick, the ball drew an almost perfect arc through the wall and flew towards the Ajax goal.
- The ball is about to score…
It's a great free kick, and the ball goes straight into the dead corner.
Watching the flight path of the ball, some fragile Ajax supporters have already covered their eyes with their hands.
- Oh wow..... Ravier, he hit the ball, He blocked Ferries' shot.
Although Ravier was standing close to the left side, he moved very quickly horizontally as soon as Ferrie started his shot. After a step, he jumped.
Seeing the ball blocked by Ravier, Ferrie looked very surprised.
Originally, he really wanted to play in the far corner, but after seeing Ravier's position, he decided to fight for the near corner. When he finished that shot, he felt great. He felt he could definitely score a goal with that free kick.
Later, the ball drew a beautiful arc and flew towards the top right corner of Ajax's goal. This was an absolute blind spot.
Before the end of the first half, ADO Den Hague opened up the last chance to score. Toda went down on the wing adjust his position and shoot. Although Ravier tackled the ball, he also gave his opponent a corner.
ADO Den Hague took a tactical corner. Oulida suddenly shot to the side and completely disrupted Ajax's defense. After receiving a pass from Oulida, Simons brushed the ball decisively into the penalty area.
Castelen's fitness isn't bad, coupled with his excellent speed, he actually got rid of Ajax's defensive player for a while and shoot.
- Goal... No... No.... No Ravier once again.
Ravier rushed towards the ball in front of Castelen and hugged it tightly.
- Ravier... Ohhh …It's Him again.
In the first period, Ravier's performance was perfect.
ADO Den Haag lost the last chance of the first half, and the referee immediately whistled at the end of this last action.
And compared to those goalkeepers who have great first-start performances, Ravier is even rarer, because this guy has hardly any playing experience before that, which is also what worried Koeman the most a little before the game. But it seem everything is ok until now. Even if Koeman let Ravier played some games, he still have some reserve about him. This is why he didn't let him played the champions leagues games. Maybe this is why they lost so soon too.
In the locker room, after praising Ravier, Koeman also expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of some defensive players in the first half, and also the attacking players. Ajax had a very big advantage in the first half, but the players never used the opportunity to extend their lead again.
Back on the field, the match was going well several minutes. Ajax played more aggressively and successfully score many goals in the first half.
In the 77th minute, the left back of the ADO Den Haag team intervenes and sends a cross. On a header from Leegte the ball was easily captured by Ravier.
Ravier did not immediately clear the ball but first observed the placement of the players then made a long pass to find Ibrahim. He was almost alone. So he easily controlled the ball and accelerated towards the opposing camp. He made a millimeter pass between two defenders to Mitea who had come in during the game and the latter found himself facing the goalkeeper. Without being asked, he pushed the ball towards the goal and scored the 4th goal for Ajax.
In the eighty-first minute, ADO Den Haag took the last shot in a normal match. It was a good quality long shot from Peter; at the top of the penalty area, on a cross from his teammate.
When Peter fired, Ravier's view was a bit blocked, but even so, Ravier relied on his incredible reaction to deflect the shot.
Without this magnificent save from Ravier, perhaps he could have scored. Ravier's exceptional performance became a nightmare for the opposing team.
As a goalkeeper, even if you make ten wonderful saves, if you lose the ball at the end and lose the game, then everything would have been in vain before that. After all, football is a goalscoring game. Whoever scores the most, wins.
The next day in the newspaper, Ravier appeared on the page for the first time. Even though it was only a third, it was a huge improvement. He has been recognized for his performance, which is more than enough for him right now.
Ravier is not a greedy person, at the same time he is also very aware that he has just started, his future is still very long, and as long as he works hard enough, his future must be bright.
Apart from small praise from the media, he also received recognition from the fans. It's soccer. The world of football is cruel, but very real. As long as you have the strength, the ability, you can be respected everywhere.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone