It seemed to be a walk-over for Ajax against RKC Waalwijk. With 39 attempts by the team from Amsterdam, it is miraculous that a used penalty by Dusan Tadic only made it 3-2 just before time. victory crossed the line. Ajax came out of the dressing room badly and quickly conceded two goals.
Ajax coach Erik ten Hag believes that his team was not aware of the goals against by Michiel Kramer and Jens Odgaard. “Of course that is not possible. We must seriously reproach ourselves for that.”
It was striking that Ajax conceded the goals just after the break. In both cases there was a lot of space behind the defense and the last line was defending with only two men. “If you stand like that and ignore the rules – and switch so badly at the second goal – that has to do with character.”
Ajax will play against SC Cambuur next Friday at 8 p.m. With a view to meeting Benfica in the eighth final of the Champions League, the match will be played in Leeuwarden on Friday evening.