Both sides put huge energy into the opening phase of the game at the Koning Willem II Stadium, but this did not instantly produce much in the way of opportunities. Throughout the remainder of the first half, Ajax failed to reward its nearly four hundred fans with any goals: 0-0 at half time.
Ajax turned the pressure up right from the start of the second half. Dusan Tadic appeared to be on the verge of scoring in the 55th minute. The Serbian shot the ball into the back of the net in one fell swoop from the 18-yard box. Celebrations were short-lived: the Ajax captain's goal was disallowed by the VAR.
In the 81st minute, Timber saw home the only goal of the game. The centre back slipped the ball in past the far post, but suffered an injury. The centre-half found himself substituted immediately after scoring.
This victory sees Ajax better its own team record of 25 wins in a row. Worth three points, the match in Tilburg was the 26th Eredivisie away game in a row without defeat.
Willem II - Ajax 0-1 (0-0)
81. Timber 0-1
Ajax: Pasveer; Mazraoui, Timber (81. Schuurs), Martínez, Blind; Álvarez (64. Gravenberch), Klaassen (72. Danilo), Berghuis; Antony, Haller, Tadic.
