Emmen took the lead in the sixth minute. Owen Wijndal committed a foul and the home side were awarded a free kick in a nice position. Quite how nice was proved by Jeroen Veldmate, sending the ball past Remko Pasveer into the net.
However, Ajax showed immediate resilience. Two minutes after the counter-goal, Tadic steamed through on the right, found the completely free Taylor, who now did manage to aim between the posts: 1-1.
Schreuder's team then plunged fully into the attack. That yielded two goals in three minutes. In the 22nd minute, it was the same combination as per the equaliser, making it 1-2. Tadic was left free by the Emmen defence, passed again to Taylor who this time put Ajax ahead via a neat header. Three minutes after Ajax first took the lead, there was another on-target shot! Steven Bergwijn got to his feet, played himself free cleverly and skittled the ball into the back of the net for 1-3.
Blind and Kudus for second half
In the second half, Bassey and Brobbey remained in the dressing room. Daley Blind and Kudus were the new arrivals. Kudus had a good opportunity right away but former Ajax player Mickey van der Hart stood in the way of success.
Emmen then had all the space they needed to score the equaliser goal due to nonchalance on the Ajax side, but, thanks to a fantastic save from Pasveer, it initially stayed out. Until the 59th minute. This is when weak defending put Zivkovic in position, tapping the ball behind the Ajax goalkeeper.
Then Ajax had another chance to extend the lead through Bergwijn and Kudus, but Van der Hart and the crossbar prevented goals. Emmen felt there was still something to be gained at home and could have made it 3-3 in the 72nd minute through Diemers. Fortunately for the Ajax players, the effort went wide. But it was just a stay of execution, however.
Where Ajax should have made it 2-4 when Bergwijn was sent off by Berghuis, the goal fell at the other end. Substitute Bouchouari ignited euphoria throughout the stadium when he scored to make it 3-3 in the 84th minute.
FC Emmen – Ajax 3-3 (1-3)
06. Veldmate 1-0
08. Taylor 1-1
22. Taylor 1-2
25. Bergwijn 1-3
58. Zivkovic 2-3
84. Bouchouari 3-3
Ajax: Pasveer; Rensch, Timber, Bassey (46. Blind), Wijndal (85. Lucca); Álvarez, Berghuis (82. Grillitsch), Taylor (57. Klaassen); Bergwijn, Brobbey (46. Kudus), Tadic
