Super-sub Van Koppen decides clash against FC Twente

Ajax made a strong and determined start to the match. Nadine Noordam had a great opportunity but chose to square the ball to Katja Snoeijs, whose effort went over the bar. Snoeijs found herself in another promising position shortly afterwards, but a FC Twente defender managed to prevent her from scoring. Despite chances at both ends, neither side could find the breakthrough before half-time, with the teams going into the break level at 0-0.

Both sides threatened immediately after the restart. In the 59th minute, Bruil introduced Van Koppen from the bench. It proved to be a decisive change. Just six minutes later, Ajax took the lead. Noordam played a perfectly weighted through ball into Van Koppen’s path, and the substitute kept her composure one-on-one with the goalkeeper, slotting the ball neatly into the far corner to make it 1-0.

Three minutes later, the super-sub struck again. Van Koppen found the ball at her feet and unleashed a volley. Her effort flew straight down the middle and into the back of the net to double Ajax’s lead.

Shortly afterwards, Van Koppen raced into a sprint duel with Carpay. The Ajax forward was too quick for her opponent, beating her for pace before being clipped. The referee showed the FC Twente player a second yellow card, resulting in a red, leaving the visitors to continue the match with ten players.

The 2-0 scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle, as Ajax Women claimed a crucial victory over title rivals FC Twente.

Ajax Women - FC Twente 2-0 (0-0)
65. Van Koppen 1-0
68. Van Koppen 2-0

Bijz.: 70. Red card Carpay (FC Twente)

Ajax Women: Van der Vliet; De Klonia (59. Kip), Kees, Knol, Visscher; Spitse, Thomas (68. Van Dijk (90+2. ), Noordam; Van Egmond (59. Van Koppen), Snoeijs, Touon.