Welcome! Play round 8 yields two interesting duels today. At Ajax, John Heitinga is the head-of-Jut. The coach must ensure that there is more peace again at the castle. Later in the evening the ball rolls in South Limburg, where FC Volendam hopes to continue last weekend.
4.30 pm: Sparta – Ajax 3-1
6.45 pm: Fortuna Sittard – FC Volendam
Ajax is 3-1 behind the castle within a few minutes. One tap after the other tap for the team of John Heitinga. Just outside the penalty area, Kitolano pushes the ball into the right corner.
Ajax behind! For Sparta, Van Bergen shoots the ball hard in the top left corner. All this after fumbling with Godts.
In the pouring rain, the troubled Ajax has to work hard.
At Ajax, Rosa is left in the dressing room. Gaaei starts the second half in place. With home team Sparta the same eleven names as in the first half.
Halfway through the Sparta – Ajax game it is 1-1. This score corresponds to the game image. Both teams were given their chances. The goals came from the strikers: Weghorst for Ajax and Lauritsen for Sparta.
Sparta has reached the same level through a penalty kick. Referee Nijhuis gave the penalty after Baas got the ball on the arm. Lauritsen scores for the Rotterdam club.
Ajax takes the lead through Weghorst. A great pass from Baas ends up with Godts and the Belgian flank player serves Weghorst. Then it is a cold art for the rush.
No hits between Sparta and Ajax, but both teams did get their chances. The home team had slightly larger options, but Ajax has much more the ball (63%).
Furthermore, the pace is a bit low and it is not yet a very spectacular competition.
After the first chance for Ajax it is the turn for the home team. Sparta is twice dangerous through Van Bergen. In both situations things end well for Ajax. The first time, Sparta midfielder Clement blocks the ball and the second time Van Bergen shoots just ahead.
A great attack from Ajax yields the first option of the afternoon. Beautiful ball from Godts reaches the run -through Taylor. The midfielder shoots, but comes across the Sparta goalie.
The ball rolls on the castle between Sparta and Ajax.
On the social channels of Ajax, many supporters show their dissatisfaction with the attitude of John Heitinga. The coach has not reserved a place for Oscar Gloukh in his basic team. Many fans disagree with this decision.
“Discourished”, one of the reactions is, another supporter does not understand much of it: “Gloukh literally our best player on the couch we are doing.”
In fact, there is a lot of criticism of the functioning of Heitinga. His tactical choices are often not understood, just like his player choices. In addition, many supporters also question the media performances of their head coach.
For the second time in his running leg, Jesper de Jong manages to reach the third round of a master’s tournament. The 25-year-old tennis player from Hoofddorp did that in Shanghai and he defeated Jakub MensĂk in the Asian city: 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4. It is the first time that De Jong, 81st on the ATP list, defeated a player from the top 20 of the world ranking. The 20-year-old people occupies the sixteenth position.
In the third round De Jong will face the Canadian FĂ©lix auger-aliassime. He is the number 13 in the world.