Ajax U23 suffered an unfortunate home defeat to RKC on Friday evening. Carlos García's side created the better chances throughout the match but ultimately came away empty-handed. RKC took the lead with around ten minutes remaining through a deflected effort from Virgil Misidjan, before adding a second goal in stoppage time. Jano Monserrate came closest to scoring for Ajax U23 when he struck the post.
Clear-cut opportunities were few and far between during the first half. Pharell Nash attempted to catch goalkeeper Niek Schiks out at his near post, while a Monserrate effort drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
RKC were handed a promising free-kick late in the opening period. The initial attempt struck the wall, but the follow-up effort from distance was smartly saved by goalkeeper Joeri Heerkens.
The pattern of the game remained unchanged after the break, with neither side able to gain a clear upper hand. The best chances again fell to the home side. After Monserrate had rattled the post, striker Diego Pungo also went close to breaking the deadlock. The forward almost turned home a cross from the right, but Schiks produced another fine save.
With just under ten minutes remaining, RKC were awarded another free-kick in a dangerous position, directly in front of goal. The visitors made the most of it, albeit with a slice of fortune. Misidjan's strike took a deflection on its way through and ended up beyond the reach of Heerkens. Yoram van der Veen then added a second goal in stoppage time to seal the win for RKC.
Bounida Returns
Rayane Bounida returned to action for Ajax U23 after coming on with twenty minutes remaining. The Ajax player had not featured so far this season due to injury.
Ajax U23 - RKC 0-2 (0-0)
84. Misidjan 0-1
90+1. Van der Veen 0-2
Ajax U23: Heerkens; Van de Pavert (70. Fränkel), Spina, Muzungu, De Falco, Verkuijl (80. Verkuijl), Abdalla (70. Acheampong), Monserrate, Ünüvar (70. Bounida), Pugno, Nash (85. Simeon)
Jano Monserrate headed Ajax U23 to victory away at Almere City FC on Friday evening with the only goal of the game. His headed winner, scored fifteen minutes from time, proved enough to seal a 0-1 win and secure Ajax U23's first away victory of the Keuken Kampioen Divisie season.
On Tuesday, the KNVB announced the match dates and kick-off times for Eredivisie rounds 13 through 21. These fixtures had not yet been confirmed when the final league schedule was published in June. View the confirmed dates below.
Ajax Women will face WFC Aktobe from Kazakhstan in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Europa Cup, following Friday’s draw. Ajax Women will play the first leg in Amsterdam on 23 September, before travelling to the distant city of Aqtöbe for the return leg on 30 September.