Blunder Remko Pasveer costs Ajax the win in the home match against SC Heerenveen

The troubled coach and his players were keen to demonstrate that the ‘resurrection’ at FC Twente (2-3) was not a regurgitation, but would actually herald better times. Logically, the trainer chose (almost) the same players who ensured the rapid turnaround after a terribly bad first half in Enschede. So with Owen Wijndal and Youri Regeer, who came in excellently. Ko Itakura, who was not fully fit against FC Twente, started against SC Heerenveen. That was at the expense of Josip Sutalo.

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In the Johan Cruijff ArenA it was in any case important for Ajax to nail the rearguard. In the last five official matches (in all competitions) before the match against the Frisians, the Amsterdam team conceded at least two goals. In club history it only happened twice that that series lasted six matches: in 1964 and 1985.

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The first act against SC Heerenveen was not as substandard as against FC Twente, but once again showed how fragile Amsterdam’s confidence is. There was nothing to enjoy in the first 27 minutes. Although after more than fifteen minutes – after the first good attack of the afternoon – the home club seemed to be helped in the saddle by referee Jannick van der Laan. He punished Sam Kersten for a foul on Kenneth Taylor and gave Ajax a penalty. However, the penalty was understandably turned back by VAR Clay Ruperti, as Taylor appeared to seek out Kersten’s outstretched leg.

A beautiful tribute to Patrick ‘Paddy’ Overeem, the Ajax supporter who tragically died this week in a boat accident on the North Sea Canal, ensured that the players had to go to the dressing room after half an hour. The mass lighting of fireworks made further play impossible. After Van der Laan had resumed the game after the mandatory break, Raul Moro had the 1-0 on his shoe. But the Spaniard squandered the opportunity offered by Wijndal. The break, in which Heitinga was able to put the finishing touches, apparently did the home club good, because in the 38th minute Ajax still took the lead thanks to Mika Godts: 1-0.

The fact that the Belgian, of all people, broke the ban will be good for Heitinga, because after FC Twente-out it was Godts who stood up for his trainer by stating that everyone still has confidence in the staff. Just like in the Grolsch Veste, he underlined this with a goal. Now by shooting the ball diagonally. With four goals and four assists, Godts is now the most valuable Ajax player.

Oscar Gloukh can decide the game for Ajax against SC Heerenveen, but misses

The joy after the 1-0 seemed short-lived, because Itakura lost the ball and SC Heerenveen seemed to be on its way to the 1-1 via Vaclav Sejk, but Wijndal and Regeer prevented damage, resulting in Ajax receiving a meager round of applause halfway through. During the second half, the fans’ enthusiasm increased, because Ajax now had the pressure on and had frequent possession of the ball. Oscar Gloukh could have decided the game, but fired the ball at Bernt Klaverboer’s fists.

It turned out to be an expensive miss, because after 69 minutes the score was level again. Pasveer handled a long shot from Maas Willemsen poorly and Sejk got the ball to score: 1-1. Heitinga was rightly angry, because referee Van der Laan had overlooked a foul on Godts moments earlier and SC Heerenveen wrongly retained possession of the ball after the Belgian’s injury treatment.

With Davy Klaassen replacing the disappointing Moro, Ajax still hunted for the three points, but despite plenty of space, the chances turned out to be scarce. Gloukh’s action was telling, as he let the ball off his feet like a pupil. Maxence Rivera did create danger with a number of vicious shots, but Heitinga was spared the 1-2.

Yet Ajax is heading into Wednesday’s Champions League match with Galatasaray with a hangover. The Turks’ scouts will not be impressed by the opponent.