FC Volendam – Ajax: 1 – 4 (0 – 1)
May 5, 2024 / Premier League
FC Volendam was unable to perform against Ajax. The match in the Kras Stadium was lost 1 – 4. As a result, relegation to the Kitchen Champion Division is a fact. Kenneth Taylor, Chuba Akpom and Brian Brobbey scored the Amsterdam goals. Benaissa Benamar was accurate on behalf of the Volendam team in a sold-out Kras Stadium.
In an equal opening phase, Volendam hearts started beating faster after just under ten minutes, when Damon Mirani was launched by Ajax goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. The referee and VAR ultimately decided that the captain was offside, so there was no penalty. The Amsterdam team got their first chance after thirteen minutes of football. From a cross from Jordan Henderson, Chuba Akpom headed just over Mio Backhaus’s goal. Shortly afterwards the second Volendam opportunity followed. Zach Booth was able to pull the trigger, but saw Rulli simply stop the ball.
That second opportunity for Ajax also came. Brian Brobbey tried from the turn on the right side of the penalty area, but saw Mio make the save. Three times it turned out to be a charm for the Amsterdammers. Devyne Rensch played the ball to Akpom, who was then able to drop it to the free-standing Kenneth Taylor. He shot the ball hard and high from the edge of the penalty area. Vivaldo Semedo had the opportunity to equalize after 35 minutes of football. His header – from a Booth cross – flew a meter over the goal.
A pole is in the way
The second half started with a great chance for Darius Johnson. He was somewhat fortunate to receive the ball, after which his lob over Rulli ended up on the post. After about fifteen minutes of football in the second half, Ajax took advantage of the opportunity they got. A save from Mio put the ball at Akpom’s feet. He scored the 0 – 2.
After this second goal the spirit of the match was gone. Relegation is a fact for FC Volendam. Ajax poured extra salt into the wounds twenty minutes before the end. Brobbey was able to score the third Amsterdam goal. Taylor was able to score his second fifteen minutes before the end. Substitute Oskar Buur was knocked down, after which the Ajax midfielder was able to shoot in.
Eretreffer
Volendam’s honor was saved by substitute Benaissa Benamar, who was able to head a good cross from the side into the empty goal, after goalkeeper Rulli was already beaten by the cross. It was a bright spot on an unpleasant afternoon for FC Volendam. Relegation from the Eredivisie is a fact – with two matches still to play.
FC Twente-out
Next week FC Volendam will play an away match against FC Twente. The kick-off in the Grolsch Veste is on Sunday at 2:30 PM.
Score progression:
25′ Kenneth Taylor 0 – 1
59′ Chuba Akpom 0 – 2
70′ Brian Brobbey 0 – 3
77′ Kenneth Taylor 0 – 4
80′ Benaissa Benamar 1 – 4
FC Volendam line-up: Mio Backhaus; Brian Plat, Damon Mirani (76′ Benaissa Benamar), Josh Flint, George Cox; Calvin Twigt, Luke Le Roux (81′ Myron Mau-Asam), Milan de Haan (66′ Imran Nazih); Zach Booth, Vivaldo Semedo (66′ Oskar Buur), Darius Johnson (76′ Achraf Douiri).
Ajax line-up: Gerónimo Rulli; Devyne Rensch, Josip Šutalo, Ahmetcan Kaplan, Jorrel Hato; Sivert Mannsverk (71′ Steven Berghuis), Jordan Henderson (81′ Silvano Vos), Kenneth Taylor; Chuba Akpom (88′ Julian Rijkhoff), Brian Brobbey (81′ Kian Fitz-Jim), Mika Godts (71′ Branco van den Boomen).
Text: Rick Sinnige
Photos: Fred Rotgans
