AFC Ajax clinched their spot in the round of 16 of the KNVB Cup with a 2-0 victory over Telstar at the Johan Cruijff Arena on December 19. Despite dominating possession and chances, the Amsterdammers found the encounter tougher than expected against their Eerste Divisie opponents.
The match was characterized by missed opportunities early on from Ajax, with forward Brian Brobbey uncharacteristically putting a straightforward chance wide. Ajax's head coach Francesco Farioli made changes at halftime, opting to replace Brobbey and Steven Berghuis, which proved pivotal as the team struggled to break down Telstar's defense.
After more than 60 minutes of goalless play, Daniele Rugani finally scored the opener from a corner taken by Branco van den Boomen. Rugani, who was filling in for the unwell Josip Sutalo, rose to head the ball firmly past Telstar's goalkeeper, demonstrating the importance of set pieces at this level of competition. "It was an important goal because the game was really tough," Rugani said post-match, reflecting on the challenges faced during the match.
With only five minutes remaining, substitute Chuba Akpom sealed the victory with an impressive goal of his own. Akpom made his mark shortly after coming on as he found himself on the end of another solid cross, this time directing the ball home with a deft header, bringing the score to 2-0. The goal not only confirmed Ajax's victory but also showcased the depth of the squad, as the substitutes had significant impacts.
Despite the positive outcome, the match didn't pass without some criticism. The Ajax supporters were quick to express their displeasure during the game, especially after several missed scoring opportunities. For much of the match, the team’s performance was described as lukewarm, less exuberant than what fans have come to expect from the club.
"Not a vintage performance, but Ajax are through," summarized Football-Oranje, who noted the lack of outstanding individual performances from the Ajax side. The supporters, many of whom were attending the match as one-time visitors, had come expecting flair and fireworks but instead witnessed what some referred to as below-par display against their lower-league opponent.
For the fans, following the late goals, there was still some jubilation as they celebrated Ajax's advancement to the next round. Their hope, reflected through chants, was to cheer the team on to greater success, especially with another match lined up against local rivals Sparta soon after.
Telstar, on the other hand, put up a decent fight. Manager Andries Jonker praised his players for holding their own: "I liked them. They held up well," he said, emphasizing the positive aspects of their defensive play. Despite the loss, Telstar showed moments of promise and maintained their competitive spirit throughout the contest.
With this victory, Ajax aims to gather momentum as they look to regain past glory, particularly after having not won the cup since 2021. The draw for the next round will take place shortly, with fans eager to find out who their team will face next as they continue their campaign.
Looking forward, the performance against Telstar highlighted both the need for improvement and the potential within the squad, particularly with players like Akpom and Rugani stepping up when needed. Coach Farioli will be tasked with addressing the elements of inconsistency as Ajax prepares for the challenges of the upcoming matches.
The atmosphere at Johan Cruijff Arena, filled with hopes and expectations, was palpable, as fans left the stadium sounding off their thoughts, some satisfied with the win but many still yearning for the dominant performances associated with Ajax football.
