Ajax has started the 2024 calendar year well in the Premier League. After an exciting battle in the Adelaarshorst, they were able to close their hands with a 3-2 victory against Go Ahead Eagles. Brian Brobbey, Benjamin Tahirovic and Devyne Rensch scored for the team from Amsterdam. John van ‘t Schip’s team is now fifth, five points behind AZ.
Ajax went into the winter break with a sour aftertaste. Points were spilled against PEC Zwolle in the Johan Cruijff Arena, but the biggest debacle was in Stadion Galgenwaard when third division player Hercules proved too strong in the cup. That taste seemed to be quickly washed away in the Adelaarshorst when Brian Brobbey put the deserved 0-1 on the scoreboard after half an hour.
Difficult phase
However, Go Ahead Eagles fought their way back into the match. The first chances of Bas Kuipers and Oliver Edvartsen were taken by the excellent Diant Ramaj. The Ajax goalkeeper had no chance when Edvartsen appeared right in front of him and scored the 1-1 with a loud bang.
With loud cheering from the crowd, René Hake’s team looked for the lead, but the goal fell on the other side. Just before half time, Steven Berghuis released Tahirovic at the far post with a sharp cross, and the midfielder shot into the far corner: 1-2.
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After the restart it was a real shooting gallery towards the Ajax goal. Go Ahead Eagles scored once via the header by Joris Kramer from Heiloo: 2-2. The home team claimed more, but Devyne Rensch made it 2-3 from a rare counter with a slider into the far corner.
Hectic ending
In the final phase, the home team did everything they could to force the equalizer. The team from Overijssel had plenty of opportunities. Ajax could breathe a sigh of relief when Sylla Sow rammed a falling ball against the crossbar. As a result, the Amsterdam team won for the first time in three matches when they visited the Deventers.
Next Sunday, John van ‘t Schip’s team will take on RKC Waalwijk in the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Ajax line-up: Ramaj; Rensch, Sutalo (Medic/46), Hato, Sosa; Tahirovic, Hlynsson (Forbs/61), Taylor (Gooijer/85); Berghuis, Brobbey (Akpom/77), Bergwijn