Compared to Sunday, there was one change in the Ajax line-up. Oscar Gloukh replaced the ill Rayane Bounida. In the opening phase Ajax struggled against the energetic FC Groningen, but goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros had a strong match.
In the 27th minute Ajax took the lead through Godts. The assist came from Kenneth Taylor, who sent his left-winger through, after which the Belgian kept his composure on the ball and pulled the trigger. On the stroke of half-time Godts came close to his second, but goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen stood in the way.
In the second half Ajax had things better under control and Groningen were no longer particularly dangerous. After an hour of play, Bouwman made it 2-0, giving Ajax more breathing space. The defender finished from a corner taken from the right by Oscar Gloukh. It was Bouwman’s first official goal for Ajax 1.
In the closing stages another academy product caught the eye. Pharell Nash made his debut for Ajax 1. In that final phase there were several Amsterdam opportunities to extend the score, but they did not produce a third goal. Taylor also looked to pick out Nash once more, but the square pass was not accurate enough.
As a result, it finished 2-0 and the first win under Grim became a fact.
Ajax - FC Groningen 2-0 (1-0)
27. Godts 1-0
60. Bouwman 2-0
Ajax: Jaros, Regeer, Bouwman, Baas, Wijndal (70. Rosa), Klaassen (79. Fitz-Jim), Itakura, Taylor, Gloukh (79. Steur), Weghorst (86. Dolberg), Godts (86. Nash)
