Jong Ajax opened the Keuken Kampioen Divisie season on Monday evening at De Herdgang. Led by new coach Frank Peereboom, Ajax took on Jong PSV in Eindhoven. The Amsterdam reserve team had three debutants in the starting line-up: Jorthy Mokio, Jan Faberski and Don-Angelo Konadu.
Entertaining opening phase
Jong Ajax and Jong PSV were evenly matched in the opening phase of the match. The first big chance of the match came within three minutes for the Ajax players. Julian Rijkhoff, who started in midfield, received the ball on a silver platter from striker Konadu, but saw his effort unfortunately fly over the enemy goal with his knee.
Both the home team and Jong Ajax created some good chances during the first half. Thanks to several great reflexes by goalkeepers Charlie Setford and Joël Drommel, the reserve teams remained in balance. Both teams went into the dressing room with a 0-0 half-time score.
The Amsterdam promises started the second half at De Herdgang unchanged. With the same eleven names, Peereboom’s team fell behind in Eindhoven within ten minutes after the break. Kaplan touched a cross from PSV’er Isaac Babadi, after which the unmarked Ricardo Pepi shot the ball into the net: 1-0.
Missed penalty
With about twenty minutes of official playing time left on the clock, Jong Ajax had a golden opportunity to equalize in Eindhoven. Faberski passed his direct opponent, after which he was brought down in the opponent’s sixteen. Debutant Konadu then took aim from eleven meters, but saw his penalty kick tipped out of the corner by Drommel.
Ajax still managed to force the equalizer in the remaining minutes. After a misunderstanding in the Eindhoven defense, Emmanuel van de Blaak tapped the ball behind his own goalkeeper: 1-1.
Kaplan saves point for Jong Ajax
In the final phase Jong PSV took the lead for the second time in the match after a converted penalty by Couhaib Driouech. The match seemed over, but Kaplan saved a point for Jong Ajax in extremis thanks to a good header: 2-2.
Young PSV – Young Ajax 2-2 (0-0)
55. Baby 1-0
86. From the Blaak (ed) 1-1
90. Driouech (pen.) 2-1
90+5. Kaplan 2-2
Note: 72. Konadu misses penalty
Young Ajax: C.Seford; Alders (90+1. Chahid), Verschuren, Kaplan, Mokio (78. Jermoumi); Brandes (90+1. Kalokoh), Chourak (58. Jetten), Rijkhoff (78. Vink); Faberski, Konadu, Banel.
