Ajax secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over AZ inside the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Saturday, marking the first time Owen Wijndal successfully defeated his boyhood club since moving to Amsterdam. The result came at the end of a grueling evening where the hosts leaned heavily on defensive resilience.
Surviving AZ’s Sustained Pressure in Amsterdam
Ajax claimed the decisive three points thanks to an early goal, but the match quickly devolved into a survival test as AZ applied sustained pressure. Wijndal acknowledged that the Amsterdammers fell short in their footballing execution during long stretches of the contest, particularly as fatigue set in. Rather than focusing on individual milestones around his upcoming 27th birthday next month, the left-back emphasized the collective effort required to withstand the visitors’ onslaught in the closing stages.
Speaking to Milan van Dongen on ESPN, Wijndal admitted that his side struggled significantly with their pressing game as the match progressed, an issue the squad intends to examine via video analysis. Yet, the defender made no apologies for the pragmatic nature of the victory. “I’ll be honest with you: I’d rather win with ugly football than take home zero points with good football,” Wijndal stated.
Awaiting Talks on a Potential Contract Extension
Now in his fifth season with Ajax, Wijndal finds himself experiencing a stark reversal in fortune. After enduring difficult years marked by heavy criticism from supporters and fluctuating form that relegated him to the bench, the 26-year-old has fought his way back into the starting lineup as one of the team’s standout performers in recent weeks.
“Yes, but I honestly don’t know how the club views that. Really not,” Wijndal told De Telegraaf regarding his willingness to enter discussions over a new deal as his contract runs down. Acknowledging the turbulent history between himself and the club faithful who once considered him surplus to requirements, he added, “That would be pretty funny if you look at everything that has happened over the past few years. Of course, I would think about it if Ajax wants to continue with me. I’ve been here quite a long time now. But I haven’t heard anything yet.”
Dismissing False Rumors and Financial Speculation
Addressing the speculation in De Telegraaf, Wijndal asserted, “That salary story is simply not true.” He credits his current resurgence entirely to improved physical fitness and a stabilization of the squad, noting that the persistent off-pitch turmoil at Ajax over previous seasons did little to help individual development.
Wijndal Expects Apology from Stengs After Facing Former Club
Wijndal delivered a striking remark regarding Stengs following the final whistle, noting that he assumes he will say sorry, as reported by FCUpdate.nl. Having spent twelve formative years within the youth and senior ranks at AZ before his switch, Wijndal admitted that facing his former employers always carries unique emotional weight, even if few familiar faces remain in Alkmaar’s current squad. Met de 1–0 overwinning op zak richt Ajax zich op het verbeteren van het drukzetten nadat AZ in de slotfase de overhand kreeg.
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