Ajax draw 2-2 in Deventer against Go Ahead Eagles
Ajax drew 2-2 with Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday in the Eredivisie. John Heitinga’s side failed to beat the KNVB Cup champions despite goals from Davy Klaassen and Youri Baas. The goals for the home side were scored by Melle Meulensteen and Evert Linthorst.
It was another disappointing performance from Ajax after their difficult victory over newly promoted side Telstar last weekend. Go Ahead is still looking for its first win of the season.
Ko Itakura made his debut for the Amsterdammers. The Japanese defender was signed from German side Borussia Monchengladbach for over 10 million euros. Both sides were unconvincing in their first game, with Go Ahead drawing 2-2 away at Fortuna Sittard and Ajax struggling past newly promoted Telstar 2-0 at home.
It was a successful start to the game for John Heitinga’s side. In the third minute, a harmless cross from Spanish winger Raul Moro was poorly dealt with by Gerrit Nauber, and this gave Davy Klaassen the chance to nod the ball home and give his team the lead.
Heitinga’s team almost doubled their lead in the 19th minute. Moro played a pass into the path of midfielder Kenneth Taylor, but the 23-year-old hit his effort just wide of the Go Ahead goal.
Go Ahead were level just two minutes later. A free kick was headed out by Youri Baas to Go Ahead’s striker Victor Edvardsen, and his cross found Melle Meulensteen completely unmarked in the box. Ajax struggled to defend crosses during pre-season, and it proved costly on this occasion as Meulensteen headed home.
Edvardsen got his second assist of the game in the 44th minute. The striker received the ball from Jakob Breum, and his low cross into the box was guided home by Evert Linthorst.
Although this goal came in the 44th minute, the teams still went into halftime level. A cross from Anton Gaaei was headed downwards into the danger area by Wout Weghorst. This led to Jorthy Mokio attempting an acrobatic effort, which was saved before Youri Baas got on the end of the rebound and headed it into the corner. This put the score at 2-2 going into halftime.
Both teams started to tire in the second half, with only some half-chances registered for either side. Steven Berghuis thought he had scored to make it 2-3 midway through the second half, but the goal was disallowed for handball.
Ajax will face Heracles Almelo at home next weekend. Go Ahead hosts Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday afternoon.
