Ajax has returned to winning ways, achieving a decisive 3-0 victory over Almere City FC at the Johan Cruijff ArenA on Sunday. Following three games without a win, Ajax’s performance has propelled them up to second place in the Eredivisie, closing the gap to league leaders PSV by six points.
The match opened with Ajax dominating possession but initially facing stiff resistance from the struggling Almere City side. Wout Weghorst, stepping onto the pitch as part of coach Francesco Farioli’s revised lineup, scored the first goal of the match just 12 minutes in. Despite Ajax’s lead, Almere City had thought they had struck first moments before when Junior Kadile capitalized on Devyne Rensch’s error. The goal was disallowed by referee Jeroen Manschot for what was deemed a foul, prompting disappointment for the visitors.
Relentless, Ajax pressed on after the controversial disallowed goal, and shortly after, Kenneth Taylor scored with finesse. A long ball from Jordan Henderson found Taylor, who deftly lobbed the ball over the onrushing Almere goalkeeper Nordin Bakker to double the score. The crowd, featuring notable supporters such as Louis van Gaal, erupted with excitement as Ajax produced glimpses of the skillful play they are known for.
Further brightening the team’s mood, Kian Fitz-Jim made it 3-0 shortly thereafter. He fired from distance, and after Bakker saved his initial shot, he capitalized on the rebound to secure the commanding lead for Ajax. Almere City, under coach Hedwiges Maduro, struggled to find momentum throughout the match.
Despite Ajax's firm grip on the match, there were fleeting moments where Almere threatened to reduce the deficit. At one point, Weghorst nearly scored again, only to hit the crossbar, thereby denying Ajax the opportunity for what could have been another goal.
The defeat marks another difficult outing for Almere City, who remain at the bottom of the Eredivisie table with just six points from fifteen matches. Coach Maduro expressed the challenges his side has faced, especially after previously having performed well earlier this season. The team has deeply struggled since, and they now look toward future games for redemption.
On the other hand, Ajax’s win is timely, allowing Farioli's squad to close the calendar year on a high note. “We want to end the year positively,” Farioli stated before the match, emphasizing the need for his side to start performing consistently as they head toward the winter break.
This victory also stands as Ajax’s much-needed rebound after defeats to clubs like SS Lazio, and should help to restore their momentum as they excitedly anticipate their upcoming fixtures. The club is set to play against Sparta Rotterdam next week, capping off the first half of the season with this final challenge.
Fans will surely hope this match serves as the impetus for Ajax to reclaim the dominant form they’ve historically exhibited. With renewed confidence following the decisive victory, the players and coaching staff alike will now seek to maintain this positive trend and aim higher as they move forward.
