It was not very encouraging, but Ajax once again won three points at NEC. After Ajax made it 2-0 just before the end, the home team’s tying goal turned out to come too late to change the result. It is the first away win for the Amsterdam team since May.
With a 4-3 defeat against Marseille in mind, Ajax went looking for that victory. Borna Sosa and Carlos Forbs, two players who were in the starting line-up at the time, started on the bench today and were replaced by Ar’Jany Martha Kristian Hlynsson.
Josip Sutalo, just back from injury, came on just after the break. At that moment no scoring had been scored yet. Ajax had the ball for most of the first half and also created a number of chances, but it was not dangerous enough to bring NEC to its knees. The home team also had the opportunity to make it 1-0 a few times early in the match, but had less and less to say as half time approached.
Brobbey
Ajax got into the match better in that phase and continued that trend after the break. It led to Ajax taking the lead after just under an hour of play. Brian Brobbey was handed the ball with his back to the goal, quickly turned away from Bram Nuytinck and then shot at goal. Midfielder Hlynsson just tapped the ball over the line: 0-1.
Although he was important in the opening goal, Brobbey would not score this afternoon. The man who scored two goals in Marseille on Thursday was substituted for Chuba Akpom after 65 minutes.
Final offensive NEC
That didn’t make the team play better. NEC, which is currently dangling just above the relegation zone, went on the hunt for the equalizer after the 0-1. That provided a huge opportunity in the 62; Jorrel Hato was able to head the ball off the line just in time.
NEC continued to look for the equalizer. Two attacking changes from coach Rogier Meijer ensured that the home team took more and more initiative. It did not result in great opportunities, but it did ensure that Ajax came close to the enemy goal less often.
The fact that the equalizer would not come in the end was because Carlos Forbs, who had just come on, put Ajax at 0-2. The goal that NEC scored via Elayis Tavsan (also a substitute) turned out to come too late to change the result: 1-2