Despite an early 2-0 deficit, Ajax posted a big 2-5 win at FC Twente. In his debut, Noa Lang was the hero, scoring 3 times. Substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar scored the other two goals.
Ajax faced FC Twente without Zakaria Labyad, who sustained an injury during the game at Lille, but with Hakim Ziyech. The latter was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in France due to an arm injury, but had fortunately recovered in time to play against his former team. It was Lang’s first starting spot in the Eredivisie.
Poor stats
Ajax had the task to turn around its recent statistics against FC Twente – 5 consecutive games in Enschede without a win. But FC Twente dealt out two early blows to Ajax, who nonetheless seemed slightly more dominant. Keito Nakamura scored from outside the penalty kick area, 1-0. Not even 5 minutes later, Aitor scored the 2-0 goal. Both goals were due to loss of possession at midfield.
3rd setback within the hour
A third setback was Quincy Promes being sidelined in the 26th minute. Klaas Jan Huntelaar was his substitute. Ajax, who had 70% ball possession against a lively Twente’s 30%, answered back in the 31st minute. Lang sent a hard shot past Twente keeper Joel Drommel. The score didn’t change for the rest of the first half. Ajax was facing a very effective team who took advantage of every opportunity presented to it.
Noa again!
But Ajax became unstoppable in the second half. Erik ten Hag’s team remained calm in the face of a deficit, and in the 51st minute, erased the deficit completely. It was again Lang, who after a nice let-through by Huntelaar, hit the target, 2-2.
Ajax 1 posts same result as Ajax Reserves
Ajax wanted, and got, more. Huntelaar sent the ball hard into the upper corner in the 61st minute: 2-3! Twente helped increase the score in the 70th minute: Drommel set out to sent the ball our with a header, but it bounced off the back of former Ajax plaer Xandro Schenk, and Lang was on the ball like a bee on honey to score the 2-4 goal.
In extra time, another goal was scored. Huntelaar brought the final score to 2-5. Interestingly enough, this was also last season’s result. But at the time, it was the Ajax Reserves who beat FC Twente in the Keuke Kampioen Division.