YOHAN KROYPH

(Born in 1947)

Played in clubs Ajax and Feyenoord (Holland), Barcelona and Levante (Spain), Los Angeles Aztecs and Washington diplomats "(USA). In the years 1966-1977 has 49 matches for the Dutch team.

Netherlands - one of the oldest "football" in Europe. National Football Association was founded here in 1899. Date of birth of the famous Amsterdam club Ajax - 1900. In 1904 the Netherlands was part of the seven European countries, have established the FIFA (along with France, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium and Switzerland).

And yet there is still a very long time the Netherlands has remained in the shadow of the football world. Dutch clubs were amateur. Not surprisingly, the national team, formed from the same fans, suffered frequent defeats. Only in 1957 the best of the Dutch clubs have been translated into a professional footing. At the first position in the national championship immediately moved Ajax, Rotterdam, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven. At the turn of 1960-1970-ies followed by a strange and dazzling bright off Ajax in the entire European football.

He was connected with the name of Rinus Michels - coach, had added to the game the idea of "total football". For example Michels took the principle of action basketball team, where the possession of the ball at all involved in the attack, but when they lose the ball the whole team defending.

Ajax Michels struck tremendous speed and coherence of the game, players interact well on the field. Constantly changing places, they are quickly released from custody in the opponent′s attack and time to insure each other in the defense of their gates. When the defenders were going to attack, defense delayed the attackers. Therefore, the attack could start with any point of the field and develop the most unexpected way for the enemy.

It was especially difficult to resist "total football" teams, practicing the tactics of "personal care". In this case, counsel was always "attached" to his attacker and did not leave him a single step. Therefore, when the attackers Ajax retreated, the defenders were following them. And in freeing up zone out attack defenders have joined Ajax.

Spectacular game the team Amsterdam receive a very beautiful and harbored a lot of unexpected collisions.

Photo — «Yohan Kroyph»

But, of course, a football player demanded universal technical equipment and excellent physical data. And Ajax Amsterdam is famous for and what not to buy "off the shelf" players abroad, and preparing their own. The club was formed a great football school, has trained dozens of famous players afterwards. It began football career and the great Johan Cruyff.

We can say that he was connected with the Amsterdam club almost from birth. As a child he did not know of prosperity, because early lost his father. The mother was a washerwoman, but not elsewhere, namely in the club Ajax. She washed a red-white shirts, and baby Johan often watched football workouts. Not surprisingly, he himself soon began to drive the ball on the wastelands of Amsterdam′s suburbs, where the family lived. When he was twelve, his mother asked the coaches to take Johanna to school "Ajax".

Four years later, in 1963, he signed my first professional contract. At seventeen years old the first time in the match played by the core team. It soon became clear that Johan Cruyff is not only perfectly suited for the tactical concept of Rinus Michels, but can lead the whole game the team.

Light and airy Cruyff constantly maneuvered around the field. His movements now and then became a complete surprise to the enemy. That is why he later received his famous nickname - "The Flying Dutchman. Rivals incredibly confusing to his playing not only with the ball, but without the ball - as he had, at that time no longer played nobody. He himself once explained the meaning of his actions this way: "Modern football is inherently - football advance and anticipation. Quickly put the opponent in front of the challenges their movements after a given ball. Decide on the run, trying to bring the idea of playing until the end. Distract the goalkeeper and keep it in the stresses caused confusion in the defense of the opponent, distract defenders false maneuvers, in a word, affects their authority on the course of the fight. "

We Cruyff was a great speed - 30 meters from the place he ran for 3. 8 seconds. He could "include" it at any time, but just as suddenly stop. At full speed he was able to change the direction of motion.

If he played very well without the ball, it is equally amazing and ruled with him.

Photo — «Yohan Kroyph»

Select it from Cruyff was very difficult. Despite its lightness, he clung to his feet, and to cover the ball body, again unexpectedly changed the direction of motion. But just as suddenly Cruyff could, receiving a pass from a partner, a short time touch to change the direction of flight of the ball, again putting the opponent to a standstill.

One of the famous techniques Cruyff was backspin ball outer side of the foot. So he filed a corner and beat fine, and often gave the ball curve trajectory so that it faces a partner, going around the path of the defenders.

But under a Cruyff had other players-generalists Ajax - Neeskens, Pen, Van Dyke. Understanding the intentions Cruyff, they are twisted together at the gates of the enemy dizzying combination with a completely unexpected pass the ball.

From 1966 to 1973-th "Ajax" was almost undisputed champion of Holland, "Skip" only 1969 and 1971. But in 1971, the Amsterdam club first won the European Cup by winning the final match against Greek Panathinaikos - 2:0.

Unusual game "Ajax" and its leader, Johan Cruyff was struck by a football to Europe. In 1971, Cruyff was named Europe′s best player and received the "Golden Ball". But this was only the beginning of the triumph of the Dutch "total football". The next year, "Ajax" once again celebrating a victory, this time beating in the final match against Inter Milan with the same score - 2:0. Both balls were packed Cruyff. And in 1973, Ajax won the Champions Cup for the third consecutive time. At this time in the final match was defeated another Italian team - Juventus. And again with the "dry" score - 1:0.

In 1973-1974, Johan Cruyff once again received the "Golden balls" the best football player in Europe. Of course, all these years he played in the Dutch team, which debuted in 19 years of age. In the first match against Hungary Cruyff scored: at the last minute brought the match to a draw - 2:2.

After the brilliant victories of Ajax in the Dutch football stars appeared in great demand in other European countries. The very same "Ajax" never among the richest football clubs. That′s why he did not once in its history, happened to sell their best players, and then in their own school to educate new stars.

Photo — «Yohan Kroyph»

It happened this time. In 1973, Cruyff was a rich, but not too prosperous time in the Spanish championship "Barcelona. " By the end of the season 1973-1974, the brilliant game "Flying Dutchman" led Barcelona to the first place. Soon after Cruyff at Barcelona from Ajax was followed by Johan Neeskens. Lost the best game in Amsterdam club noticeably faded, it took years to the "Ajax" has emerged a new generation of great players . . .

But the "total football" Rinus Michels again triumphed at the World Cup 1974, held in Germany. He showed the Dutch team is almost entirely composed of players from Ajax, though by that time some of them have been "former" amsterdamtsami.

That World Cup was played on a different scheme than the previous. As before, sixteen teams were divided into four groups, of which the next phase out the first two teams. But then do not follow the quarter-finals with a knock-out losers, and another group tournament. The eight remaining teams after the first phase of re-partitioned into two groups, winners and which were supposed to play in the final match world championship. A two second teams met each other in the match for third place.

At the preliminary stage, the Dutch team had no problems. She won a national team of Uruguay - 2:0, a draw with Sweden - 0:0, and defeated the team of Bulgaria - 4:1.

At the second stage, the Dutch like to recruit from game to game force, were more successful. In his group, which also included teams of Brazil, East Germany and Argentina, they scored three wins, scoring eight goals and not miss a single one. Argentina squad was defeated with a score of 4:0, East Germany squad - 2:0.

But the most memorable match turned out to Holland with the Brazilians. Three-time world champions, in the composition of which has not been great old masters, and especially Pele failed on all counts. Cruyff and Neeskens scored in each half of the ball. Brazilians have begun to take the nerves, and they did not hesitate to rudeness. One of the newspapers the following day summed up the match an exact result: "The Dutch were shining on the field, but the Brazilians fought.

On the eve of the final team′s match with Holland West Germany, almost all soccer fans, coaches and sports journalists predicting a victory for the team Cruyff.

Photo — «Yohan Kroyph»

Magnificent game "Flying Dutchman" and his partners saw on television the whole world, not to mention the lucky, sitting in the stands of the German stadiums. The Dutch, a host of admirers in the farthest corners of the earth, and coach Rinus Michels has called "great".

West Germany squad could oppose the Dutch rational, well-organized football, similar to the work of a powerful machine. For a brilliant victory over a team that seemed to be enough. And again, for the umpteenth time, all football predictions proved wrong.

True, the beginning of the match seems to confirm the apparent superiority of the Dutch. Almost immediately after the first strike on the ball he was in the penalty area West Germany. Cruyff goes one on one with the goalkeeper, and to save their gates, half-German Hoeness knocks "Flying Dutchman" with legs.

Never before in the history of the world championships finals judges are not appointed 11-meter free kick in the first minute of the match. Johan Neeskens struck accurately, and led the Dutch team - 1:0.

However, this ultra-fast goal the Dutch had a bad service. Apparently, now they themselves believe in that victory was imminent, and to her left only two halves of 45 minutes. But after a missed goal German soccer machine ran at full capacity, the Dutch stormed the gates. Well played, Franz Beckenbauer, holding the threads of the German attacks in their hands, very dangerous was Gerd Muller, able to score from the most unimaginable positions.

Soon after the Dutch defender Jansen has already had to knock down in his own penalty area German football Heltsenbayna. Breitner struck 11-meter strike as accurately as Neeskens, and the score became 1:1.

And in the 43rd minute of the first half of the match came the denouement. Top scorer of the championship Gerd Muller was again at the right time in the most convenient place to strike the Netherlands national team and scored the second goal. In the second half, despite the best efforts of the Dutch, and remained so through 2:1 in favor of West Germany. To the delight of his fellow world champions became the masters tournament.

At the next World Cup, held in 1978 in Argentina, the Netherlands national team again advanced to the finals, and lost again, and again the masters tournament - the team of Argentina.

Photo — «Yohan Kroyph»

But Cruyff was no longer in its composition. Just before the championship Flying Dutchman announced his retirement from the national team and has remained steadfast in spite of all persuasions. He went also from Barcelona. He turned thirty-one.

First he went to the United States of America, where he played in clubs in the Los Angeles Aztecs and Washington diplomats. In 1981 he returned to Spain to serve some time for the little-known lower league club "Levante". End of my career as a player in the Netherlands. In seasons 1981-1982 and 1982-1983 period was in the home "Ajax", in 1983-1984 played in Feyenoord.

Well-known successes of Johan Cruyff as the coach for field. In 1986-1988 he headed the "Ajax". Then in the Amsterdam club has a new generation of excellent students of their own - even if Marco van Basten. In 1987, Cruyff won with a team of Cup Winners′ Cup.

In 1988 he became the coach of Barcelona. The next year, now Barcelona won under his leadership Cup Winners′ Cup. In 1992, Cruyff, the coach has won the European Cup. But there were with him and the heavy defeat. In 1994, "Barca" again appeared in European Cup Final, but was defeated by AC Milan - 4:0.

Teams work took the legendary "Flying Dutchman" a lot of energy, he started having problems with his health. In 1996 he left his post. In addition to victories on the European scene, led by Cruyff, Barcelona became four times champion of Spain.

Since then, the "Flying Dutchman" has consistently rejected the most tempting offers - to lead, for example, the national team of his native country. However, the problem of Dutch football, he does not neglect. Place for permanent residence Cruyff chosen Barcelona, but often at home, organizing tournaments for children, passing on small sites with teams of 6 people. According to a great player, it is in such conditions, most teenagers develop football skills and technique.

International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) had included Johan Cruyff in the top ten outfield players XX century, putting it in second place after Pele.