Two first-half goals ensure that Ajax beat their arch-rivals Feyenoord 0-2 in Rotterdam

Ajax picked up a significant victory on Wednesday, beating their arch-rivals Feyenoord 0-2 in de Kuip in Rotterdam. Kenneth Taylor and Jorrel Hato got the goals for the Amsterdammers in what was a comfortable victory.

Many expected Feyenoord to be victorious before the match. Both sides have been in good form as of late, but Feyenoord have picked up impressive away victories against Benfica and FC Utrecht. There was a sense of shock in De Kuip at how easy the victory turned out to be for Ajax.

It was the first time since 1978 that both teams had a foreign manager. Ajax’s manager from Italy, Francesco Farioli, picked a surprising team. He went with Chuba Akpom, who is a striker, usually, on the right wing. Wout Weghorst was picked for the striker position over Brian Brobbey.

Feyenoord manager Brian Priske went with Gernot Trauner over Thomas Beelen at the center of defence. Ayase Ueda had initially recovered from an injury to start up front for Feyenoord, but he was still struggling midway through the match and was replaced.

It was a good start for the Amsterdammers as they took the lead in the sixth minute. Kenneth Taylor was found with a long ball behind the defence and dribbled past goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, who made the wrong decision to come out before using the outside of the foot to put the ball into the net.

Ajax was sitting back and countering, and it was working. Akpom nearly made it 0-2 in the 23rd minute when he burst through from the middle of the pitch before his effort was cleared off the goalline by Hugo Bueno.

However, Farioli’s side got their second goal a minute later. A corner was poorly dealt with again by Wellenreuther, and ironically, it was Rotterdam-born defender Jorrel Hato who reacted the quickest to score.

Ajax’s most significant chance to make it three came in the 53rd minute. A fantastic cross by the outstanding Jordan Henderson found Wout Weghorst completely unmarked in the box, but his header was straight at Wellenreuther in the Feyenoord goal.

As has often been the case this season, Ajax were absolutely solid at the back, with Feyenoord creating very few chances. Their biggest chance came in the third minute of injury time when a cross from Gijs Smal went to the far post to David Hancko. The Czech defender has a good record with finishing, but he did not succeed with this effort as it was saved by Remko Pasveer. The rebound was also hit over by Julian Carranza.

The result meant that Ajax climbed above Feyenoord in the league table. Farioli’s side is currently second, with a game in hand on Feyenoord and a three-point lead over them.

Both sides have a huge match on Saturday evening. Ajax face league leaders PSV. The Eindhovenaren are eight points clear at the moment, but Ajax have played a match less, so the gap could be reduced significantly with a win.

Feyenoord will be desperate to bounce back from this disappointing loss when they face AZ Alkmaar.