Ajax is in the last sixteen of the Conference League after a victory over Bodø/Glimt: 1-2. Kenneth Taylor’s decisive goal came deep into extra time. Steven Berghuis and Patrick Berg scored the other goals. The score was 2-2 in Amsterdam, meaning the Amsterdam team continued.
Ajax’s starting line-up included four new names compared to the draw against NEC (2-2). Borna Sosa, Branco van den Boomen, Steven Berghuis and Carlos Forbs kicked off at the expense of Jordan Henderson, Kenneth Taylor, Jaydon Banel and Tristan Gooijer. The team from Amsterdam had a very difficult time in the opening phase with opportunities for Hakon Evjen (saving Diant Ramaj) and Ulrik Saltnes (header).
The Norwegians were much stronger, but Ajax still took the lead, despite the odds. Brian Brobbey came out dangerously and gave way to Berghuis. The captain then hit the ball very hard: 0-1. Ramaj seemed to have an angel on the crossbar, as all shots were subsequently turned or went wide.
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Ajax seemed to give away its hard-fought lead at the start of the second half. First, Josip Sutalo committed a stupid foul on the broken through Hakon Evjen and the Croat was immediately shown a red card. Sosa took a ball off the line a few minutes later, but still seemed to become the schlemiel. He made hands in the penalty area.
After VAR interference, Ajax was awarded a free kick, because it turned out that Ramaj had already been fouled. Bodø also started the final phase with ten men due to two yellow cards for Albert Gronbaek. The Norwegians got what they were entitled to just before the end, the equalizer. Patrick Berg defeated Ramaj from a distance: 1-1.
Kenneth Taylor helps Ajax
Enough chances were then created by both teams without scoring. Extra time followed, in which Nino Zugelj had a gigantic chance. He escaped Ajax’s defense, rounded Ramaj and shot wide. In the second part of extra time, the team from Amsterdam took the lead again. A great chance by Chuba Akpom went wide, but the ball flew into the goal via substitute Kenneth Taylor: 1-2.
After the 2-2 in Amsterdam, Ajax is now in the eighth finals of the Conference League. The next opponent is AZ. They will face each other in Alkmaar next Sunday from 4:45 PM and you can follow that match live via an extra broadcast by NH Sport on the radio.
Ajax line-up: Ramaj; Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa; Tahirovic (Rijkhoff/112), Van den Boomen, Hlynsson (Taylor/83); Berghuis (Mannsverk/106), Brobbey (Akpom/43), Forbs (Gaeei/53)