The Amsterdammers took the lead in the 27th minute, Devyne Rensch completed a fluid attack on the left wing with conviction. Just ten minutes later, Ajax's task got much harder in one fell stroke. Steven Bergwijn got a red card for bringing down Mimeirhel Benita. The ball went to the spot, and Julian Baas converted the penalty: 1-1.
Shortly into the second half, Excelsior took the lead. Lazaros Lamprou headed in a cross from Ajax’s left wing: 1-2.
The Ajax squad stalled briefly, but found their feet again in the closing stages. After Kenneth Taylor had headed against the bar, Akpom nodded in the 2-2 marker in the 89th minute after a good play by Rensch.
Ajax - Excelsior 2-2 (1-1)
27. Rensch 1-0
38. Baas 1-1 (pen.)
53. Lamprou 1-2
89. Akpom 2-2
Red card: 36. Bergwijn (Ajax)
Ajax: Rulli, Rensch, Šutalo, Kaplan (81. Sosa), Hato, Mannsverk (81. Van den Boomen), Tahirović (68. Gaaei), Taylor, Godts (81. Rijkhoff), Brobbey (44. Akpom), Bergwijn
