At halftime, the match remained goalless. Ajax had its chances but failed to convert. The second half started with intense pressure from Francesco Farioli’s side, yet big opportunities were missed by Bertrand Traoré and Kenneth Taylor.
In the 56th minute, Ajax finally broke the deadlock. Brian Brobbey was played through inside the box and found the net via Jari de Busser’s body. Seven minutes later, Nauber was booked for the second time, leaving Go Ahead Eagles with ten men. Just a minute after that, Mika Godts struck the post.
Five minutes before the final whistle, Go Ahead thought they had equalized through former Ajax player Julius Dirksen, but his goal was disallowed for handball. Moments later, Ajax sealed the victory. Edvardsen, who joined Ajax from Go Ahead Eagles during the winter break, struck against his former club to make it 2-0.
In stoppage time, a penalty was initially awarded for an alleged handball by Daniele Rugani, but the decision was overturned. As a result, Matheus kept a clean sheet in his first appearance for Ajax 1 and was named Player of the Match. Additionally, Don-Angelo made his debut for the senior team.
Ajax - Go Ahead Eagles 2-0 (0-0)
56. Brobbey 1-0
86. Edvardsen 2-0
Red card: 68. Nauber (Go Ahead Eagles)
Ajax: Matheus, Gaaei, Kaplan (46. Rugani), Baas, Hato, Klaassen, Mokio (59. Fitz-Jim), Taylor, Traoré (89. Konadu), Brobbey (59. Berghuis), Godts (78. Edvardsen).
