Ajax maintained their stronghold at the top of the Eredivisie with a narrow 1-0 victory over Almere City FC on March 2, 2025. This win marked Ajax's ninth consecutive league triumph, extending their lead at the summit to eight points over rivals PSV, who have faced struggles of their own, failing to win any of their last seven matches.
The match, held at Yanmar Stadion, showcased Ajax's ability to secure the win with minimal offensive fireworks. Kenneth Taylor found the net just eight minutes after kickoff, driving home from the edge of the box following poor clearance from Almere, setting the tone for the match. Despite starting strong, Ajax would surprisingly allow their opponents, who sit at the bottom of the league table, to control possession for most of the game.
Throughout the first half, Almere City pressed, attempting to create chances but struggled against Ajax’s organized defense. Their best opportunity came from Junior Kadile, who sent a long-range effort just wide of the post. Shortly thereafter, Mika Godts nearly doubled the lead for Ajax but was denied by Almere's steadfast defense.
Almere City began the second half with renewed vigor, bringing the game to Ajax, and almost equalized when Kornelius Hansen’s lob struck the crossbar, shaking the Ajax goal. Just moments later, James Lawrence intervened to block what could have been another dangerous chance for Almere.
Despite defensive pressure from Almere, Ajax held firm and even made tactical adjustments. Manager Francesco Farioli introduced former Liverpool star Jordan Henderson late in the game to help control the midfield and protect their slim lead. Henderson’s experience proved pivotal as Ajax secured yet another match without conceding, illustrating their defensive resilience. Remarkably, Ajax's goalkeepers have only let through two goals during their nine-match winning run.
The win is particularly sweet for Ajax as they approach their 125th anniversary and the prospect of celebrating their 37th Eredivisie title. The team will face formidable opponents next, including upcoming matches against PSV, FC Twente, AZ, and FC Utrecht, all of which offer significant challenges.
Almere City, on the other hand, still look to find form after showing promising play against many top teams this season. Following their match against Ajax, they face another uphill battle as they prepare for their next outing against FC Twente.
The overall takeaway from this match is Ajax’s ability to grind out victories even when not at their best, and it raises questions about Almere City’s tactical efficiency and how they can translate possession and pressure on the opposing side to actual goals.
This match reinforces Ajax's position as the frontrunners for the league, demonstrating the gap currently existing between themselves and the lower-ranked teams, and setting the stage for what fans hope will be another historic run to the title.