Ajax end winless streak with comeback victory over FC Twente in Enschede
Ajax manager John Heitinga picked up a much-needed win away against FC Twente on Sunday. Ajax were able to turn a poor first half around in the early stages of the second half, scoring three goals in the first ten minutes on their way to a 3-2 win in the Grolsch Veste stadium.
Heitinga has been under significant pressure due to Ajax’s form this season. His side were winless in their last four, losing three of those games. The 41-year-old reacted to an article by ESPN in his pre-match interview with the company, stating that the article, which reported on some chaotic moments in Ajax’s season, was factually incorrect and that he was only speaking to the company due to “contractual obligations.”
Both managers made no changes to their last starting 11. John Heitinga went with the same players that lost 5-1 away to Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, and John van den Brom did the same regarding the team that drew 3-3 against NEC Nijmegen.
Twente took the lead in the fourth minute. A corner from Bart van Rooij was met by Ruud Nijstad before being diverted into the goal by former Ajax midfielder Kristian Hlynsson. It was the earliest goal Ajax has conceded in the Eredivisie since January 2021.
Van den Brom’s side almost made it 2-0 in the 14th minute. A good cross from Sondre Ørjasæter found Ricky van Wolfswinkel unmarked at the back post, but his header went wide of the goal.
Twente continued cutting Ajax open with ease, Mats Rots chipped the ball into the box to Thomas van der Belt, but his header, once again unmarked by the Ajax defence, was straight at Remko Pasveer in the Ajax goal.
Ajax equalized in the first few minutes of the second half. A cross from Kenneth Taylor was headed into the net by Wout Weghorst.
Twente’s vigor in the first half seemed to have dissipated after halftime as the Amsterdammers took the lead a few minutes later. The Tukkers' defence struggled with a long ball, which resulted in Oscar Gloukh volleying it high into the net from the edge of the area.
Ajax made it 3-1 in the 56th minute. Weghorst won the duel in the middle of the pitch before playing the pass to Raul Moro. His pass across the box to Mika Godts was finished with one touch into the bottom corner.
Both sides struggled to create much in the second half. Ajax had done their duty, while Twente struggled to break down the Ajax defense, which seemed a lot more solid after the break.
Twente got a goal back in the 62nd minute, which proved to be the last goal of the game. A chip by Ørjasæter hit the arm of Ajax defender Lucas Rosa, leading to a penalty after a VAR review. Van Wolfswinkel converted the penalty to bring Twente within a goal.
Ajax face SC Heerenveen next Saturday, while FC Twente face amateur side Roda Raalte on Thursday evening in the first round of the KNVB Cup, before traveling to FC Groningen on Sunday.
