On December 22, 2024, Excelsior Rotterdam's women's football team faced off against Ajax at De Toekomst, marking their final match of the year. After last week's thrilling encounter against Feyenoord, excitement was high as they took on one of the league's top competitors. The match concluded with Ajax securing a 3-1 victory.
The first half was full of action, with Ajax opening the scoring early. It was the 14th minute when Danique Tolhoek found the net, putting the home team up 1-0. To their credit, Excelsior quickly responded. Just three minutes later, Sabrine Ellouzi leveled the scores with a brilliant long-range effort. Fans might have thought they were witnessing another epic gasp of back-and-forth play, but Ajax wasn’t done yet.
Ajax’s Quinty Sabajo then took center stage, scoring twice within five minutes, with remarkable precision and skill. Her first, at the 25-minute mark, was a curling shot from outside the box to restore Ajax’s lead. Shortly thereafter, she got her second, finishing with ease when unmarked inside the area, resulting in the halftime score of 3-1.
The second half saw Excelsior attempt to regroup. Coach Mollink made key substitutions, bringing on fresh legs to invigorate the squad. Although they had some chances, particularly through Ellouzi, they struggled to find the back of the net again. Ellouzi, who had previously shone with her goal, nearly converted again but was denied by the Ajax goalkeeper after dribbling past her defender.
Despite their efforts, Excelsior couldn't convert chances during the second half. Ajax's defenders held firm, and goalkeeper Anouk van der Klooster made several more saves to keep her team’s advantage intact. The standout player of the match undoubtedly was Sabajo for Ajax, who showcased her scoring prowess, bringing her season tally to two goals, which was emphasized as she made her mark at such a pivotal moment. This not only demonstrated her capability but also her importance to Ajax’s title ambitions.
The match ended 3-1, cementing Ajax’s position at the upper echelon of the league standings. Post-match discussions reflected on how this victory put Ajax level on points with league leaders PSV, meaning the title race was heating up as the teams headed toward the winter break. FC Utrecht also remained competitive as they secured their spot near the top.
Yentl van Goch’s assist for Ellouzi was considered one of the bright spots for Excelsior, indicating future potential for the team. "After the opening goal, Ajax seemed to overpower Excelsior, but Yentl van Goch thought otherwise," reported one observer. While the match highlighted areas for improvement for Excelsior, it also provided glimpses of their talents, particularly Ellouzi's performance.
The loss, albeit disappointing, will serve as motivation for Excelsior to reflect on their gameplay during the winter break and come back stronger. The team’s resilience and capability to score against formidable opponents like Ajax suggests they have much to build on as they prepare for the next phase of the season.
With competitive fixtures approaching, the excitement surrounding women's football continues to grow. The response from fans and analysts toward these matches has been overwhelmingly supportive, with more individuals recognizing the talent and skill present within the league.
