HOLLAND FOOTBALL

The Super Cup was the last trophy Ajax won in 1972. Before beating Glasgow Rangers, they won the Intercontinental Cup. Their opposition was Argentine – Indenpendiente. Today is hard to say why exactly Ajax decided to participate in the contest – eagerness to win everything is a possible reason, but equally possible is the believe that Independiente were gentlemanly club. At least that was the presentation of them in South America, filtering down to Europe, where the club was not very well known. Going to Buenos Aires was not fun for Ajax – the reception was hostile. Johan received death threats and the local Police reacted with predictable indifference. Kovacs had to organize emergency security of Cruiff, for the threats sounded real, appointing big and burly looking Barry Hulshoff and himself constant bodyguards of Cruiff. Nothing happened, but the trip was tense. Crowds gathered around the hotel Ajax stayed making constant noise in order to disturb and prevent the team from sleep. The match itself was tough – although Independiente did not reach the level of violence distinguishing earlier finals, they played dirty and provocatively enough to disgust the Ditch. Ajax, outspoken as ever, were quick to express their views in interviews, which offended the Argentines in turn. For awhile the war of words was fought in the press, darkening already dark and hostile atmosphere – accusations were fired from both sides, in part in the hope that the opponents will be psychologically shattered. This may have been mostly Argentine hope, but it did not wear down the Dutch. At the end Ajax won in Amsterdam and collected the Intercontinental Cup. Immediately the club announced that they are not going to play in this tournament anymore, listing lengthy line of strong complaints. There was practically no South American response: down there it was important to beat the Europeans, but Ajax obviously were too strong, so if they abstained from playing in the future, all the better for any South American club. For the first time South Americans found themselves trailing far behind European club in strictly footballing terms – total football was above Brazilian, Argentine, or Uruguayan magic.
Intercontinental Club Cup 19721st. leg:Venue: Avellaneda. Field: Independiente ("La Doble Visera").September 6, 1972.

Independiente (Argentina) 1-1 (0-1) Ajax (Netherlands)0-1 5' Johan Cruijff1-1 81' Francisco "Pancho" Sa

Independiente: Miguel Ángel Santoro - Eduardo Comisso, Miguel Ángel López, Francisco Pedro Manuel Sa,Ricardo Elbio Pavoni - José Omar Pastoriza, Alejandro Estanislao Semenewicz, Miguel Ángel Raimondo (Carlos Alberto Bulla) - Agustín Alberto Balbuena, Eduardo Andrés Magglioni, Dante Mírcoli.

Ajax: Heinz Stuy - Horst Blankenburg, Wim Suurbier, Barry Hulshoff, Ruud Krol, Arie Haan, Johan Neeskens, Gerrie Mühren, Sjaak Swart, Johan Cruijff (Arnold Mühren), Piet Keizer.

2nd. leg:Venue: Amsterdam. Field: Olympisch Stadion.September 28, 1972. Ajax (Netherlands) 3-0 Independiente (Argentina)Goals: Johan Neeskens, Johnny Rep (2).

Ajax: Heinz Stuy - Horst Blankenburg, Wim Suurbier, Barry Hulshoff, Ruud Krol, Arie Haan, Johan Neeskens, Gerrie Mühren, Sjaak Swart (Johnny Rep), Johan Cruijff, Piet Keizer. Coach: Stefan Kovacs.

Independiente: Miguel Ángel Santoro - Eduardo Comisso, Miguel Ángel López, Francisco Pedro Manuel Sa,Ricardo Elbio Pavoni - José Omar Pastoriza, Alejandro Estanislao Semenewicz,Luis Garisto - Agustín Balbuena, Eduardo Andrés Magglioni, Dante Mírcoli (Carlos Alberto Bulla).

Thus, Ajax were the kings of the world in 1972, winning every tournament they played: champions of Holland, European Chamions Cup winners, Super Cup winners, and Intercontinental Cup winners. There is no doubt left about the quality of their football. The supremacy of total football was… total. Since total football was not only winning, but also very attractive kind of football, at the end Ajax’s refusal to play again in the Intercontinental Cup was seen as appeal in the name of the game – let’s play it beautifully, otherwise there is no point, seemed to be the message. Fans agreed.