After good training camps in De Lutte and Bramberg am Wildkogel in Austria, the first big test of the 2022/2023 season was on the cards on Saturday evening. Coach Alfred Schreuder decided to put brand new acquisitions Bergwijn and Owen Wijndal in the starting line-up straight away.
Opening goal by Bergwijn
Bergwijn and Wijndal made their mark within 15 minutes. The Ajax forward immediately made his official debut with a goal. After a pass from Wijndal, the winger dribbled and shot the ball beautifully into the far corner from the edge of the sixteen yard box.
After Bergwijn's early opening goal, Ajax pressed on. The Ajax players were quick to move the ball around and were looking to double their lead. Schreuder's team failed to outsmart goalkeeper Benítez again, but PSV were successful at the other end after more than half an hour. Til headed the ball behind Jay Gorter with a pass from Gakpo: 1-1.
Until half-time, there were a number of good chances on both sides. In injury time of the first half, Til once more scored via a pass from Gakpo, after Jay Gorter had misjudged the ball. As a result, the Ajax players went into the changing room trailing 1-2.
Equaliser from Antony
Ajax started the second half very strongly, just as in the first half. Within ten minutes, this resulted in the equaliser. After a good cross from Wijndal, Antony shot powered the ball into the net: 2-2.
Shortly after the equaliser, Schreuder decided to make two changes to the Ajax line-up. Calvin Bassey came on in the 62nd minute to replace Wijndal. Steven Berghuis left the field to be replaced by Mohammed Kudus.
Goals from Gakpo and Til
A few minutes after the double change, Ajax found themselves trailing. Obispo's long-range shot was not handled well by Gorter, and Gakpo was able to shoot the ball in from close range. Four minutes later, PSV struck again: 2-4.
In the 72nd minute, Ajax scored their equaliser via substitute Kudus. The Ghanaian midfielder received the ball well on his chest and with a dropkick shot it hard into the back of the net: 3-4.
After Kudus' goal, Ajax suffered a major setback. Debutant Bassey was shown a red card after a heavy tackle, forcing Ajax to continue with ten men. In the final stages of the match, the Ajax players were a man short in defence, allowing Simons to score 3-5.
Ajax - PSV 3-5 (1-2)
15. Bergwijn 1-0
32. Til 1-1
47. Til 1-2
54. Antony 2-2
65. Gakpo 2-3
69. Til 2-4
72. Kudus 3-4
90+1. Simons 3-5
Ajax: Gorter; Rensch, Timber (73. Klaassen), Blind, Wijndal (62. Bassey); Álvarez, Taylor (85. Schuurs), Berghuis (62. Kudus); Antony (73. Brobbey), Bergwijn, Tadic
