Ajax played a tricky first half Sunday afternoon. Steijn's team were all over the place in the opening phase with almost no decent opportunities. Ajax managed merely a few moments of excitement, from Bergwijn and Hlynsson.
Just before half time, the home team took the lead in Galgenwaard Stadium. Ryan Flamingo volleyed the ball from the edge of the penalty area, outsmarting Jay Gorter: 1-0.
The second half was a lot more spectacular than the first. Shortly after the break, it all started going wrong for Ajax again. Former Ajax player Mike van der Hoorn headed a corner in past Gorter.
Minutes later, Hlynsson scored to make things even. The Icelander converted a cross from Borna Sosa into a goal using his chest. The pattern then repeated to make it 2-2. Hlynsson scored his second goal from a header, this time from a pass from the Croatian left-back.
Ajax show their mettle
Bergwijn completed the comeback in the 65th minute. Brian Brobbey was brought down in the FC Utrecht penalty area, earning Ajax a penalty. The captain squared up to the ball and sent Vasilis Barkas the wrong way.
Ajax did not enjoy their lead for long. FC Utrecht equalised again five minutes after it was 3-2, thanks to Jens Toornstra. In the closing phase, the home team made it 4-3 thanks to Oscar Fraulo, meaning Ajax lost the game at the Galgenwaard Stadium.
FC Utrecht - Ajax 4-3 (1-0)
44. Flamingo 1-0
48. Van der Hoorn 2-0
52. Hlynsson 2-1
55. Hlynsson 2-2
65. Bergwijn 2-3 (pen.)
71. Toornstra 3-3
90. Fraulo 4-3
Ajax: Gorter; Gaaei, Šutalo, Hato, Sosa (90+1. Mikautadze); Tahirović (90+1. Van den Boomen), Taylor (90+1. Akpom), Hlynsson; Forbs (59. Berghuis), Brobbey, Bergwijn
