In a thrilling encounter at the Johan Cruijff ArenA, Ajax took on NAC Breda, showcasing a match filled with tactical surprises and dramatic moments. The home side emerged victorious with a score of 3-1, but not without a fight from the visitors, who had their own plans to upset the odds.
NAC's head coach, Carl Hoefkens, made headlines with his surprising lineup choices. Instead of the usual first-choice goalkeeper Daniel Bielica, second-choice Roy Kortsmit was given the nod, a decision based on tactical reasoning to utilize Kortsmit's superior kicking ability. This marked Kortsmit's first start of the season, and the pressure was on him from the outset.
Despite the daunting challenge, NAC started brightly. In just the 9th minute, Leo Sauer, a loan player from Feyenoord, stunned the Ajax faithful by scoring the opening goal. Cutting in from the flank, Sauer curled a brilliant shot into the far corner, giving NAC an unexpected lead. It was a moment of joy for the away fans, who had come to support their team against the odds.
However, the lead was short-lived. Ajax responded with intensity, and in the 32nd minute, Kortsmit's day took a turn for the worse. Attempting to tackle Ajax's Don-Angelo Konadu, Kortsmit brought the young forward down in the box, resulting in a penalty. Kenneth Taylor stepped up to take the spot-kick, and he made no mistake, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just three minutes later, Ajax turned the game on its head. Steven Berghuis, displaying his trademark poise, found the back of the net, making it 2-1. The momentum had shifted, and NAC found themselves reeling from conceding two goals in quick succession.
The second half saw NAC struggle to regain their composure. Despite a few attempts to equalize, including a promising shot from Sauer that was saved by Ajax goalkeeper Matheus, the visitors could not find the net. Ajax, while not at their dazzling best, managed to control the game and limit NAC's chances.
As the match approached its final stages, Jorthy Mokio, who had come on as a substitute, sealed the deal for Ajax with a goal in the 76th minute. His effort brought the score to 3-1, effectively ending NAC's hopes of a comeback.
With this defeat, NAC slipped to fifteenth place in the league, but they remain six points clear of relegation rivals Willem II, maintaining a degree of comfort in their quest for survival. Looking ahead, NAC faces another tough challenge next week as they host Go Ahead Eagles at the Rat Verlegh Stadion, hoping to bounce back from this setback.
Ajax, on the other hand, continues to push for the Eredivisie title, showcasing their depth and resilience even with key players absent. The return of Wout Weghorst to the matchday squad after injury provided a boost, although he remained on the bench for this match.
In the aftermath of the game, Hoefkens expressed his disappointment over the penalty decision and the quick succession of goals that turned the tide against his team. "We started well and had our chances, but we need to be more disciplined at the back to avoid conceding such quick goals," he stated.
As the season progresses, both teams will need to address their respective challenges. NAC must find a way to tighten their defense and convert more of their chances, while Ajax will aim to maintain their momentum as they chase the league title. The stage is set for an exciting conclusion to the season, with both teams having much to play for.
Final score: Ajax 3, NAC Breda 1.
