The Amsterdam-based team expressed the same sentiment beforehand: they were eager to start again.
This was evident on Monday morning at the Toekomst. After a few hugs, thumbs-ups, and chats, the Ajax Women prepared for the first training session of the new season.
De Reus will be the new coach of the Ajax Women this season. Former Ajax player Sonny Silooy assists the head coach. The new assistant was on the field early to prepare everything for play. "I'm looking forward to it," he said, neatly arranging the last equipment. A little while later, the team came onto the pitch as well.
New beginning
After De Reus opened the training session with a brief conversation, the ladies, dressed in their new training outfits, started the warm-up. Under the guidance of the performance coach, the focus was on footwork during the warm-up. Just before that, De Reus expressed her enthusiasm for the new season. "I’ve had to wait a long time, but I'm excited to begin. The emphasis in the early stages will mainly be on how we will play."
Getting to know each other will also take place this week. "We’re going to get to know each other on the field. The focus is on the football, and then the background information will come naturally."
Touch
After the warm-up, the training session continued with a passing and shooting exercise. With short passes and finishing on small goals, the Ajax Women quickly regained their touch. The exercise was expanded with turning away under passive pressure from a teammate.
The training concluded with a large game without goalkeepers. The focus was on building up from the back, with De Reus and Silooy closely involved. The coach was actively present and provided the necessary instructions for the Ajax Women.
At the large goal, goalkeeper coach Robbie Tetteroo took the goalkeepers under his wing. Exercises on small and large goals had the goalkeepers flying from left to right. After the game ended, the first training was wrapped up, the equipment was put away, and the Ajax Women left the training field satisfied.
