Jonas Eidevall, the trainer of the women of Arsenal, made a striking statement after the 0-1 win at Sportpark De Toekomst against Ajax. The Norwegian went from one surprise to another in Amsterdam and claims that the goals on the main field of the Ajax sports park were too small.
Arsenal reached the group stage of the Women’s Champions League by winning 0-1 in Amsterdam after last week’s 2-2 draw. Vivianne Miedema scored the winning goal, but that was not the point afterwards. Eidevall wanted clarification. “It was a very strange experience to be here,” he told the press present. “We are here at a big club like Ajax, but we measured the goals for the match and they were just ten centimeters too small.”
According to the coach, the goals were replaced before the game. The main field of De Toekomst is not only used by the Ajax Women, but also by Young Ajax and various high-level youth teams. It is not clear if more official matches have been played with the goals that were ‘too small’. In any case, Eidevall fell back steeply in surprise. “I’ve never experienced anything like this, to be honest.”
The referee on duty also did not make a good impression on the Norwegian coach of the Gunners. He saw how Beth Mead collided hard with Lisa Doorn of Ajax and would have liked to see a red card for the Dutch. “If that isn’t a red card when you fly into someone’s head like that. I know she didn’t do it on purpose, but it’s reckless. In the end, that recklessness was very dangerous for Beth. Hopefully she’s okay.”