Ajax continue revival under Fred Grim with 2–0 win over arch-rivals Feyenoord

Ajax’s resurgence under their interim manager Fred Grim continued on Sunday with a vital 2-0 win against their arch-rivals Feyenoord. Goals from Davy Klaassen and Jorthy Mokio heaped the pressure on Feyenoord, who have now lost seven games out of their last 10 after a promising start to the season.

Both sides came into the game with contrasting emotions after their midweek European fixtures. Ajax picked up their first points in the UEFA Champions League with a 4-2 win away at Azerbaijani side Qarabag, while Feyenoord’s dismal European campaign continued with a painful late defeat against Romanian side FCSB in the Europa League.

Fred Grim continued his trust in youth by starting 17-year-old midfielder Sean Steur to replace the injured Kenneth Taylor. Another young Ajax youth product, Aaron Bouwman, was also picked in the starting lineup due to an injury to Josip Sutalo.

Feyenoord were boosted by the return of the league’s top scorer, Ayase Ueda. The Japanese striker was not deemed fit enough to start the game against FCSB on Thursday after an illness.

It was the 200th time that these opponents have faced each other, and it was also a memorable game due to the empty section behind the Ajax goal. After Ajax’s hooligan group, the F-Side, had intentionally gotten a game abandoned against Groningen, the club decided to ban them from coming to the game. Feyenoord fans were also not allowed to attend, as has been the case since 2009.

Feyenoord created the first real chance of the game in the seventh minute. It was created by Luciano Valente, as is often the case for Robin van Persie’s side. The midfielder found right back Bart Nieuwkoop with a great chipped ball, but it was not an easy finish for the defender, whose header went over the goal.

Ajax broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Team captain Davy Klaassen scored his fourth goal in this fixture, and his first at the Johan Cruyff ArenA, with a fantastic drive from the edge of the area.

The home side almost doubled their lead in the 24th minute. Oussamma Targhelline lost possession in midfield, which led to Mika Godts coming forward with the ball before finding Steur, who would have gotten his first goal for the club if not for Tsuyoshi Watanabe clearing the ball before it found the net.

Godts led another counter in the 37th minute when he dribbled past two players before finding Kasper Dolberg. The Dane waited for right back Lucas Rosa to come forward, but the Brazilian’s shot was straight at Timon Wellenreuther in the Feyenoord goal.

Feyenoord had one last bit of danger near the end of the first half when Anis Hadj Moussa chipped the ball into the box, but the cross was just about too high for Anel Ahmedhozic, which led to his header hitting the roof of the net.

Van Persie’s side finished the first half with zero shots on target, the first time a Feyenoord side has picked up this unwanted record since December 2021.

However, they were given a golden opportunity to take the lead within the first five minutes of the second half when another fantastic pass from Valente found Ueda. The striker held off Bouwman before attempting to finish with the outside of his foot, but the effort went wide of the Ajax goal.

Ajax almost doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Ko Itakura played a chipped pass to Owen Wijndal. His cross was also perfect for Oscar Gloukh, but the Israeli headed the chance over the goal.

Targhelline was guilty of losing possession in midfield again in the 76th minute, resulting in another chance for the Amsterdammers. Substitute Kian Fitz-Jim had taken it off him, but his shot went wide.

Ajax came within inches of scoring again a few minutes later. Mika Godts ran at his opponent at full speed before letting fly with a quick shot aimed towards the far corner, but it went just wide of the goal.

The home side put the game to bed in the 94th minute. A moment to remember for Jorthy Mokio, the 17-year-old Belgian midfielder, hit a strong shot into the near corner on the turn to send the Ajax fans into wild celebrations.

Feyenoord’s title challenge is starting to fade as a result of the recent poor run of form. The Rotterdammers are now nine points behind leaders PSV, with Ajax only five points behind Van Persie’s side in third place.