Ajax won its make-up match against Fortuna Sittard, 5-0. After a low-key first half without goals, coach Erik ten Hag’s team showed itself to be more sure-footed after the break. Quincy Promes was the most outstanding player with three goals to his name.
Ten Hag made two changes compared to the game at PSV. Donny van de Beek made his return to the squad after an absence of several weeks due to a muscle injury. Razvan Marin also appeared at kick-off once again.
The first half was uneventful, but Ajax had some nice opportunities. Dusan Tadic’s header went over, and an industrious Quincy Promes was foiled by Fortuna goalie Alexei Koselev three times. On the opposite side of the field, Ajax made a narrow escape when Daley Blind failed to clear Bassala Sambou’s shot from the goal line, and Felix Passlack sent a hard shot wide shortly before the break.
Quick goals after halftime
Five minutes after play resumed, it was Ajax’s turn to strike. Promes received the ball on a silver platter from Tadic and scored nicely: 1-0. This was his third competition goal in this young season. Three minutes later, another goal was scored. Substitute Klaas Jan Huntelaar made a pass to David Neres, who easily doubled the lead: 2-0.
The Limburg team’s stride was broken. Ajax went on the hunt for more goals, and was successful. After Marin’s shot from the 2nd line, an alert Promes pounced on a rebound in the 68th minute: 3-0. Ryan Gravenberch was ready to make his debut in the Johan Cruijff ArenA at that point. The teenager came in for Van de Beek.
Hat trick hero Promes
An own goal by Cian Harries brought the game to 4-0. The Amsterdam team’s thirst wasn’t yet quenched, as Promes proved. The wing forward, alone in front of the keeper, was served by Tadic and coolly sent the ball through Koselev’s legs into the goal: 5-0. Promes completed his hat trick. A great final score!
Leader Ajax will play at home on Saturday, when FC Groningen visits the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The game against the number 14-ranked team kicks off at 19:45.