Youri Regeer and Raúl Moro started and played their first minutes of the season. The latter had been announced earlier in the week as Ajax’s latest signing.
Ajax dictated play in Oldebroek but found themselves behind after eighteen minutes due to an unfortunate goal conceded from a corner. The response from Ajax came quickly, however. Six minutes later, the Amsterdam side drew level. A left-wing attack and a driven cross from Owen Wijndal were flicked on by Wout Weghorst, allowing Klaassen to tap in with ease: 1-1.
In Gelderland, two halves of sixty minutes were played. That meant a completely new eleven took to the field after the hour mark. That team turned up the pressure around the 70th minute and struck twice between the 81st and 83rd minute.
First, Gaaei made it 2-1 with a stunning strike. The Danish full-back unleashed a thunderous effort from distance with the outside of his boot, curling the ball beautifully into the far corner.
Moments later, Edvardsen added a third. Don-Angelo Konadu set him up inside the box, and the Norwegian forward stayed strong under pressure before finding space to fire home.
KV Mechelen pulled one back in the 121st minute through Benito Raman, but Ajax held on for the win.
Ajax - KV Mechelen 3-2 (1-1)
18. Marsa 0-1
24. Klaassen 1-1
81. Gaaei 2-1
83. Edvardsen 3-1
121. Raman 3-2
