After a very troubled summer, Ajax started the new season in the Eredivisie with a 4-1 victory over Heracles. The visitors from Almelo took the lead, but then the audience in Amsterdam could cheer after beautiful goals from newcomer Jakov Medic, the possible departure Mohammed Kudus and the new captain Steven Bergwijn.
About 50,000 supporters sat down for what was to be the start of the resurrection of Ajax. The fact that after a whole practice campaign it was still waiting for the top reinforcements would have no effect on the title aspirations, Maurice Steijn stated a day earlier, who took into account the lower resistance in the first matches.
He said ‘yes’ wholeheartedly when asked if his baptism of fire would immediately result in a victory. And in a welcome video, the new coach whipped up the audience before kick-off to encourage interaction with the team. Steijn saw his promises and wishes come true after 85 minutes, when Steven Bergwijn, whom he put the captain’s armband on earlier this week, pushed the decisive 3-1 into the long corner after a beautiful rush.
Steijn beamed, threw both fists in the air, then clenched assistants Hedwiges Maduro and Saïd Bakkati against his chest. The kick-off was already successful, although it was preceded by a struggle with the promoted Heracles.
In any case, the public, while waiting for the necessary quality impulse, became acquainted with new impetus in staff and team. It was immediately Branco van den Boomen who drew the game and showed off his beautiful kick. With two rehearsed corners, he also almost scored goals, were it not for Brian Brobbey missing in front of an empty goal and Bergwijn mowing over the ball earlier.
Led by the new playmaker, taken over from Toulouse, Ajax chased the opening goal. Attempts by Van den Boomen were stopped by the strong goalkeeper Michael Brouwer. Kenneth Taylor was unable to finish off a flashy attack between Anass Salah-Eddine, Brobbey and Kenneth Taylor.
Salah-Eddine, who had returned from Twente, was preferred to Owen Wijndal, but was certainly unable to repay Steijn’s confidence before the break. In fact, the left back led into a deficit, by poorly clearing the ball and seeing Mario Engels slide the ball behind Jay Gorter from close by.
Gorter? Certainly, the young goalie, who wants to rent out Ajax, was allowed to show up again because Geronimo Rulli suffered an – at first sight – ugly injury when coming out. Purchase Diant Ramaj remarkably remained on the bench. Immediate damage in the title race seemed to be in the works after the blow, also because Ajax collapsed.
Until the next newcomer stood up. Jakov Medic was taken over from St. Pauli from the 2. Bundesliga last week. It didn’t stop Steijn from immediately throwing him in front of the lions in the Arena. Medic had a dream debut. Defensively, the tall and strong Croat held his own, for example by throwing himself in front of the ball twice when Heracles appeared dangerous for the first time.
© Pro Shots / Ron Jonker
Even better was his line in the ten extra minutes of the first half, with which he put Ajax back on the right track. Medic looked around, found few play options and decided to give it a shot. With success, his rocket of about thirty meters ended tightly in the intersection. The stadium exploded and Medic, who was brought in as backup from another Croat, Josip Sutalo, was immediately serenaded.
© ANP
After the break it was completely one-way traffic, but for a long time without results. Plenty of opportunities, but great opportunities were wasted on Brobbey. And also Kudus, the taste maker whose departure is still feared, did not see his curls from the right hit a target. Nevertheless, the Ghanaian broke the spell fifteen minutes before the end. Benjamin Tahirovic, the midfielder taken over from Roma, crowned a good debut with a liberating assist. Thanks to Kudus, who checked the pass and tapped into the long corner.
Heracles seemed to squeeze out a final offensive, until Bergwijn took the decision and scored his second goal well into injury time from the spot and set the final score at 4-1.
Jakov Medic was voted man of the match. The Croatian defender made it 1-1 beautifully. © ANP
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90’+7′
End of second half
90’+6′
4-1 Ajax! Goal by Steven Bergwijn!
Steven Bergwijn can also make his second of the evening. He convincingly shoots in the penalty awarded after hands and determines the final score at 4-1.
90’+4′
VAR: Penalty confirmed
90’+4′
VAR: Penalty confirmed
89′
Emil Hansson is replaced by Diego van Oorschot
89′
Brian Brobbey is replaced by Carlos Forbs
The 19-year-old newcomer is still allowed to participate. Another five minutes are added, so he can still enjoy himself and entertain the audience.
88′
Anass Salah-Eddine is replaced by Owen Wijndal
85′
3-1 Ajax! Goal by Steven Bergwijn!
That said, what a wonderful goal. Steven Bergwijn, the successor to Dusan Tadic as captain in Amsterdam, scores in the 85th minute after a nice action from the left flank. Sven Mislintat also takes a good look in the stands and claps his hands for this beautiful 3-1, which means the decision in a game that was exciting for a long time.
83′
Yellow card for Navajo Port
75′
2-1 Ajax! Goal by Mohammed Kudus!
Fifteen minutes before the end, Ajax takes the lead against Heracles via Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian scores coolly after a nice pass from Benjamin Tahirovic.
A nice goal from Kudus, about whom there is of course still a lot of uncertainty. Will he stay with Ajax or will he leave this month? Brighton & Hove Albion has a lot of money left for him, but there is still no question of a transfer. Ajax obviously prefers not to lose another important player.
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74′
Yellow card for Devyne Rensch
Thomas Bruns wants to prevent a quick free kick from Ajax in their own penalty area by standing in front of the ball. That is not exactly appreciated by Devyne Rensch, who gives him a push. Bruns goes to the ground and also receives a yellow card for foul play.
74′
Yellow card for Thomas Bruns
69′
Jetro Willems is replaced by Ruben Roosken
Heracles coach John Lammers makes three substitutions with about 20 to 25 minutes left on the clock. So fresh blood with the visitors from Almelo, who certainly have a chance to take the three points here tonight.
68′
Anas Ouahim is replaced by Marko Vejinovic
68′
Abdenego Nankishi is replaced by Bryan Limbombe
65′
Brouwer saves shot Brobbey
Brian Brobbey goes for Heracles’ goal again, but goalkeeper Michael Brouwer saves the Ajax striker’s left shot. That was also due to Navajo Bakboord, the Heracles defender who recovered well and managed to get the power out of the shot after a nice chase on Brobbey.
62′
Steven Bergwijn shoots over
Ai, a mediocre shot from Steven Bergwijn, the new captain of Ajax. After a good combination on the left flank, he can pick a corner, but his attempt goes high over Heracles’ goal.
61′
Kenneth Taylor is replaced by Davy Klaassen
Fifteen minutes after the break, a substitution in Ajax’s midfield. With at least half an hour to go, Davy Klaassen comes in to take care of the 2-1 for the home team.
58′
Yellow card for Mario Engels
56′
Yellow card for Anas Ouahim
Yellow for the midfielder of Heracles, who gets his gram after Mohammed Kudus played him through the legs.
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2023-08-12 20:02:00
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