The match was played in honour of the Nouri Foundation, which set the tone for the entire evening. Abdelhak Nouri, who famously wore the number 34 shirt, suffered a cardiac arrest in 2019, after which his family founded the organisation to promote greater heart safety across the Netherlands and within sports clubs. After the match, the match shirts will be auctioned to raise money for the foundation.
Noah Naujoks struck twice for the Rotterdam side, scoring in the 36th and 47th minutes to give his team a firm grip on the match. Kasper Dolberg halved the deficit in the 59th minute, offering Ajax a brief surge of momentum, but it was not enough to alter the outcome.
The next match for Ajax will be a UEFA Champions League match against Benfica. That match will take place at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Tuesday evening at 18:45. Later that week, Ajax will face FC Groningen at home on Sunday evening at 20:00.
Ajax - Excelsior 1-2 (0-1)
36. Naujoks 0-1
47. Noujoks 0-2
59. Dolberg 1-2
Ajax: Pasveer, Gaaei (57. Dolberg), Sutalo (84. Klaassen), Baas, Alders (76. Wijndal), Regeer, Taylor, Gloukh, Edvardsen (76. Moro), Weghorst, Godts.
