Jol demands home comforts

Posted Thursday, September 17, 2009 by PA

Ajax manager Martin Jol wants his team to be certain of banking points at home in the Europa League as they bid to reach the knock-out stages.

The Dutch giants will take on Romanian side FC Timisoara, who are bankrolled by oil billionaire Marian Iancu, in their opening Group A game on Thursday.

He is wary of the quality in the Timisoara ranks, and was particularly impressed by them knocking out Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk - last season's UEFA Cup winners - in the early stages of qualifying for the Champions League.

Jol said: "They are a very dangerous team, otherwise they would not have beaten Shakhtar Donetsk. They were a club who won the UEFA Cup a few months ago."

With home advantage, Ajax are nevertheless eyeing a flying start.

"We want to go further in the Europa League, and it is important your win in front of your own fans."

Jol will be without Cameroonian midfielder Eyong Enoh who has been ruled out for two weeks due to a groin injury sustained in the 6-0 weekend win over NAC Breda, while Gabri is also out with an Achilles tendon problem.

Dutch midfielder Mitchell Donald was sent home this after suffering with flu, as was assistant manager John van 't Schip, and is not expected to play any part.

Timisoara, whose Champions League hopes were eventually dashed by Stuttgart in the play-off round, finished second in the Romanian league last season and have made an unbeaten start to the current campaign, however two wins and four draws leaves them off the early pace.

They will be making their debut in the group stages of a European tournament, however coach Ioan Sabau knows Dutch football well, having had a spell with Feyenoord during his playing career.