Ajax was unable to beat NEC (2-2). The team from Amsterdam seemed to be on their way to victory thanks to goals from Brian Brobbey and Carlos Forbs. In between, Jorrel Hato outwitted his own goalkeeper, after which Rober Gonzalez equalized in minute 95 (!).
Steven Berghuis was not fit from the battle against Bodø/Glimt and was absent against NEC. His replacement was young Jaydon Banel, who made his starting debut. He immediately paid off that trust in the opening phase. A bet from Banel was deflected by Brian Brobbey and Ajax took the lead
The remainder of the first half had few highlights in Amsterdam. The Nijmegen team still came out dangerous through Calvin Verdonk and Sontje Hansen. In both cases, goalkeeper Diant Ramaj was in the way of a possible equalizer. Ajax could no longer create big chances against the tough team.
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Not surprisingly, the away team had the first big chance of the second half. Koki Ogawa headed just wide of Ajax’s goal from a Hansen cross. The Amsterdam team eventually got the deserved equalizer. Jorrel Hato unfortunately outwitted his own goalkeeper and gave NEC a helping hand: 1-1. Verdonk was then also close to the next goal. However, the defender’s bicycle kick was narrowly saved by Ramaj.
Ajax therefore seemed to have to settle for a draw. That changed because of the quick winger Carlos Forbs. He completed a nice deep pass from Brian Brobbey: 2-1. Ajax then seemed to be on its way to victory, until Rober Gonzalez scored the equalizer in minute 95 (!).
The draw increases the difference with competitor AZ to three points in the run-up to next week’s cracker. The current number four will be the opponent on February 27 from 4:45 PM. Midweek Ajax plays in the Conference League against Bodø/Glimt in Norway.
Ajax line-up: Ramaj; Gooijer, Rensch, Sutalo, Hato; Tahirovic (Van den Boomen/65), Henderson, Taylor (Martha/65); Hlynsson, Brobbey (Rijkhoff/91), Banel (Forbs/57)