The match in Amsterdam started calmly, and the first threat from Ajax came after about fifteen minutes through Sivert Mannsverk. Just before the half-hour mark, Steven Bergwijn found the net. After a smooth one-two with Brian Brobbey through the centre of Almere City's defence, the captain blasted the ball into the net.
The Ajax player was on fire and struck again five minutes later. A cleared ball from a corner kick was volleyed straight into the net by Bergwijn: 2-0. Four minutes later, the forward completed his hat-trick. A beautiful solo run from the midfield resulted in a powerful shot into the corner.
In the second half, the guests from Almere threatened Gero Rulli’s goal several times but failed to score a valid goal. John van ‘t Schip’s team also failed to score again. Thanks to the victory, the Amsterdam team is in fifth place. The league will conclude on Sunday with a match against Vitesse.
Because both NEC and FC Utrecht missed out on points, Ajax are now sure of fifth place. This means they avoid the playoffs for European football, and the Amsterdam team is now assured of a spot in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
Ajax - Almere City 3-0 (3-0)
29. Bergwijn 1-0
34. Bergwijn 2-0
38. Bergwijn 3-0
Ajax: Rulli; Rensch (76. Gaaei), Šutalo, Kaplan, Hato; Henderson (79. Van den Boomen), Mannsverk (46. Berghuis), Taylor, Bergwijn (77. Godts), Brobbey, Akpom (70. Tahirović)
