In the first half, Ajax failed to create any clear-cut chances, while AZ came close twice – first hitting the post and then being denied by goalkeeper Remko Pasveer.
In the 54th minute, AZ's Ruben van Bommel struck the post for the second time, but the breakthrough eventually came ten minutes later. Troy Parrott slotted home a cross from Peer Koopmeiners to put the home side ahead: 1-0.
The 2-0 followed fourteen minutes before the final whistle when Mayckel Lahdo converted a corner at the far post. Moments earlier, Brian Brobbey thought he had scored but his header was ruled out after the referee had already blown his whistle.
Ajax managed to pull one back through Mika Godts, who made a strong impact after coming on as a substitute. He initiated an attack and finished neatly from a Brobbey assist. However, there wasn’t enough time left to salvage the match, and the Amsterdam side left empty-handed.
AZ - Ajax 2-1 (0-0)
65. Parrott 1-0
76. Lahdo 2-0
81. Godts 2-1
Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Hato; Van den Boomen, Taylor (78. Rasmussen), Klaassen (72. Fitz-Jim), Berghuis (62. Traoré), Weghorst (62. Brobbey), Akpom (72. Godts).
