In an action-packed first half, both Ajax and sc Heerenveen regularly found themselves in front of the opposition's goals. Ajax got off to a slightly stronger start and had the best shot at goal thanks to Berghuis, but he hit it over the bar. It was just a few minutes later, of course, when Sébastien Haller did manage to drive it home. He made it 1-0 in the 24th minute following a pass from Dusan Tadic.
In the second half, Heerenveen showed more initiative than earlier in the affair. The defence had a hard time of it from Heerenveen's lightning forwards, and Musaba in particular was a real threat. The equaliser was all for the taking and seemed to be in the making after exactly an hour of play. Van Beek's header hit the post from a corner.
After the twin substitution Martínez and Neres for Kudus and Berghuis, Ajax regained its grip on the home team. With fifteen minutes left, substitute Neres gave Ajax more headroom, making it 2-0 from a header. In the closing stage, the Amsterdam troupe controlled the game.
Next Tuesday Ajax will be back in action. In the Johan Cruijff ArenA they will face Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League. That game starts at 9:00 PM.
sc Heerenveen – Ajax 0-2 (0-1)
24. Haller 0-1
75. Neres 0-2
Opstelling Ajax: Pasveer; Mazraoui, Timber, Schuurs, Blind; Klaassen (86. Taylor), Kudus (63. Martínez), Gravenberch; Berghuis (63. Neres), Haller, Tadic (86. Daramy)
