Ajax secured a draw against Bodø/Glimt in the absolute final phase. Thanks to a converted penalty from Branco van den Boomen and a nice tip-over from Steven Berghuis, the score was still 2-2 in the Johan Cruijff Arena. This gives Ajax a good starting position for the return next week in Norway.
Devyne Rensch returned to the starting line-up at Ajax. Branco van den Boomen and Julian Rijkhoff sat on the bench and saw that their team was the better team in the opening phase. In the first fifteen minutes, Chuba Akpom was close to the opening goal. He shot the ball from the edge of the sixteen through the keeper’s hand against the crossbar.
Open house
Yet Ajax was surprised by Bodø/Glimt. Positionally, coach John van ‘t Schip’s team was completely out of balance, which the Norwegians took advantage of. Albert Grønbæk scored in the short corner in the 17th minute: 0-1. Ajax had difficulty playing through the visitors’ tight defense and mainly tried with shots from distance. Akpom, Kenneth Taylor and Jordan Henderson took aim at the goal, but saw their efforts saved as they went wrong.
Devyne Rensch, who had just returned from an injury, was substituted for Borna Sosa at half-time. The new left back was frequently sought after and a number of crosses came from his foot. Steven Berghuis had another opportunity, but he curled the ball wide. Chuba Akpom seemed to have a great chance, but ruined it by trying to cut down his opponent.
Fumbling
On the other hand, the 0-2 came in the 64th minute. Tristan Gooijer clumsily lost the ball in the back. The Norwegians took over and the ball ended up at the feet of Albert Grønbæk, who coolly doubled the lead with a placed ball in the corner. Ajax then had difficulty in attacking Bodø/Glimt’s goal.
Brobbey still had a chance to score the tying goal, but his header went wide. In the last minute of regular playing time, Brobbey was awarded a penalty. He was pushed to the ground by Bjortuft, who had to leave with a red card. Substitute Branco van den Boomen knew what to do with the penalty and scored the tying goal: 1-2. In the 97th minute it even became 2-2. Steven Berghuis beautifully kicked the ball over the goalkeeper and gave his team a good starting position for the return.
Next Thursday Ajax will play the return in Norway. Next Sunday, NEC will first visit the Johan Cruijff Arena.
Ajax line-up: Ramaj; Gooijer, Sutalo, Hato, Rensch (Sosa/46); Henderson, Taylor (Van den Boomen/71), Hlynsson; Berghuis, Brobbey, Akpom (Forbs/63)