Ajax Women began their Eredivisie campaign with a victory. Anouk Bruil's side beat FC Utrecht 1-0 at Sportpark Zoudenbalch, thanks to a goal from 16-year-old Elisa van Dijk.
The victory was deserved and never really looked in danger, although Ajax had to settle for a single goal. The Amsterdam side registered seventeen shots and enjoyed seventy per cent possession.
Van Dijk breaks the deadlock
Ajax were particularly dominant in the first half. Van Dijk’s goal just after the half-hour mark was reward for the visitors’ strong start. The 16-year-old reacted quickest after Utrecht struggled to clear their lines.
Ajax continued to enjoy the majority of possession after the break. It took the Amsterdam side a little while to create another clear opportunity, but after an hour, returning midfielder Nadine Noordam tested goalkeeper Femke Bastiaen.
FC Utrecht - Ajax Women 0-1 (0-0)
34. Van Dijk 0-1
Ajax Women: Liefting; Kees (46. Te Brake), Noordam, Knol, Visscher (63. Visscher); Spitse, Van Schoonhoven, Van Dijk (81. Van Hensbergen); Van Koppen (46. Touzani), Snoeijs, Kip
Ajax Women will face Real Madrid in the play-offs for a place in the league phase of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. This became clear on Tuesday during the draw at UEFA headquarters. The decisive two-legged qualifier will begin on August 26 with a home fixture, followed by the return leg in Madrid on September 2.
Ajax Women reached the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Saturday. A goal from Nadine Noordam and a late penalty converted by Sherida Spitse were enough to secure a 2–1 victory over Rangers FC.
Ajax Women secured a comfortable victory on Wednesday in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Women's Champions League. They defeated Brøndby IF 2–0, with Katja Snoeijs and Mirte van Koppen finding the back of the net. Anouk Bruil's side will play in Saturday evening's final for a place in the third qualifying round.