Ajax has reached the semi-finals of the KNVB Cup. The team of trainer John Heitinga won 0-3 against De Graafschap in Doetinchem. Together with Spakenburg, Feyenoord and PSV, the team from Amsterdam is involved in the draw.
In an attractive stadium De Vijverberg, Ajax took the stage with quite a few reserve players. Remko Pasveer took over Geronimo Rulli’s place under the bar. Heitinga also started the competition with Jorge Sanchez, Jorrel Hato, Florian Grillitsch and Francisco Conceição.
Despite all the changes, Ajax was immediately in control of the match. In the 13th minute, the team from Amsterdam already expressed that in the score. Jorge Sanchez hit from a cross from Brian Brobbey and he did that beautifully with the inside of his foot: 0-1. The home team was mainly dependent on fast counters and did come in front of Pasveer’s goal a number of times after the opening goal.
Liberating hit
Ajax was then completely in control. With a goal rejected by Jurriën Timber due to offside and a long shot on the post by Mohammed Kudus, Ajax already showed off. Halfway through the first half it was Steven Bergwijn who doubled the score. The winger cut in and hit the far corner with a long shot. It was Bergwijn’s first official goal since November 12 (3-3 against FC Emmen).
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After the break, Ajax significantly slowed down. That ensured that De Graafschap still had some faith in a result. Within a few minutes it seemed to make the connection goal, but Camiel Neghli was offside. After the home team’s impulse was nipped in the bud, Ajax once again seized control and saw Brian Brobbey head the ball against the post from a corner kick. In the 79th minute it was a hit for the Ajax striker. He received a present and finished coolly: 0-3.
Together with Spakenburg, Feyenoord and PSV, Ajax is one of the semi-finalists of the KNVB Cup. The draw is Saturday night. Next weekend, Ajax will resume the competition at home against NEC. The team from Amsterdam will play at 4.45 pm in the Johan Cruijff Arena. The match can be heard live on NH Radio.
Setup Ajax: Pasveer, Sanchez, Timber (Alvarez/70), Bassey, Hato (Wijndal/70); Grillitsch, Klaassen, Kudus; Conceição (Berghuis/70), Brobbey, Bergwijn (Tadic/81)