Nov 2, 2023 at 9:57 PM Update: 14 minutes ago
Ajax finally achieved another victory in the Eredivisie on Thursday. Under the new coach John van ‘t Schip, FC Volendam was defeated 2-0 with difficulty, but deservedly.
After a goalless first half, the score was opened about ten minutes after halftime by captain Steven Bergwijn. In the final phase, substitute Chuba Akpom made the decision in the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
For Ajax it meant the end of a series of ten games without a win (in all competitions). The Amsterdam team recorded their first competition victory since August 12. At that time, Heracles Almelo was defeated 4-1.
Thanks to the victory over Volendam, Ajax is no longer bottom in the Eredivisie. Coach Van ‘t Schip’s team climbs three places and is fifteenth. FC Utrecht is the new number eighteen. Volendam is seventeenth.
Ajax will have a chance to rise further in the rankings next Sunday. The troubled record champion will then play at home against SC Heerenveen.
John van ‘t Schip had a pleasant return to the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Ajax misses many opportunities before half time
Van ‘t Schip, who surprisingly made twenty-year-old left back Ar’Jany Martha make his debut, saw Ajax dominate from the start in the ArenA on Thursday. The game mainly took place in FC Volendam’s half.
It created opportunities for Steven Berghuis and Kristian Hlynsson, among others, who both shot just wide. On the other hand, the Amsterdam team occasionally had to pay attention to a counter-punch, although there were no great opportunities for Volendam.
Ajax was close to the opening goal a few times, partly thanks to the excellent contribution of debutant Martha. Bergwijn in particular flirted with a goal: he hit the bar after half an hour. Before halftime, Kenneth Taylor and Brian Brobbey also missed opportunities.
Discharge from Steven Bergwijn after his goal. Photo: Pro Shots
Bergwijn makes Ajax 1-0
In the second half the scores remained unchanged and this time the score was 1-0. After Brobbey came close with a header, Bergwijn scored after about ten minutes.
There was great relief in Amsterdam, but the goal did not really open up the match. Ajax continued to improve, but suddenly escaped the equalizer about twenty minutes before the end when Volendam striker Robert Mühren broke through and met goalkeeper Diant Ramaj.
The Ajax players were clearly not yet brimming with confidence and not much later they again got away with a heading opportunity from Volendammer Damon Mirani. On the other hand, Steven Berghuis scored the 2-0 after a good move.
That 2-0 still came. In the final minutes, substitute Akpom headed home. The striker also seemed to score the third Amsterdam goal in extra time, but after rounding the goalkeeper he hit the post.
2023-11-02 20:57:36
#Van #Schip #guides #Ajax #longawaited #competition #victory #Volendam #NU.nl
