Greg . 2 days ago

Ajax drop first points of the season as Go Ahead Eagles grab first point

Eredivisie hopefuls Ajax dropped their first points of the season when reigning KNVB Beker winners Go Ahead Eagles held the Amsterdam side to a 2-2 draw in Deventer.

For the second-straight week, Ajax boss John Heitinga opted to keep Oscar Gloukh on the bench in favour of a midfield consisting of Kenneth Taylor and Davy Klaassen.

17-year-old Jorthy Mokio got his first start of the season with Bertrand Traore injured and Steven Berghuis starting on the right wing.

Ko Itakura, eligible for the first time since arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach, got the start over Aaron Bouwman, who was not fit enough to travel to Deventer.

Anton Gaaei got the nod over Youri Regeer at the right-back spot.

Go Ahead Eagles were forced to make at least one change with Calvin Twigt picking up a red card in the season opener against Fortuna Sittard - Melle Meulensteen was chosen to substitute him.

Jakob Breum was back from an injury and replaced Milan Smit.

A mistake from Gerrit Nauber, who failed to clear the ball correctly, earned Ajax captain Davy Klaassen an easy opportunity to head Ajax in front after three minutes, which the midfielder took full advantage of.

Anton Gaaei and Raul Moro tested Jari De Busser three minutes later, as well as Steven Berghuis later in the first half, but it was Kenneth Taylor who had the biggest opportunity at putting Ajax up two when the midfielder was left to freely shoot at De Busser's goal following a fine rush from Owen Wijndal.

However, the midfielder could not convert as his shot glided past De Busser's far post.

Taylor wished he'd made the most of his opportunity as Go Ahead Eagles equalised less than a minute later.

Melle Meulensteen was left unmarked in Ajax's box and calmly headed in a cross from Victor Edvardsen in the 20th minute.

With half-time approaching, Go Ahead Eagles found space on Ajax's half when the Amsterdam outfit left gaps and were all over the place.

Edvardsen placed a perfect ball in Ajax's box, which Evert Linthorst put in the top corner for the home side's first lead of the afternoon.

A dramatic last five minutes saw Ajax equalise in the final seconds, when Youri Baas headed in a second attempt from a corner and placed the ball beyond the reach of De Busser and Eagles defender Joris Kramer.

Go Ahead Eagles sent an early warning shot in the second half when Suray fired a header at the post, but the attack was ruled out for offside.

Heitinga, who put Gloukh and former Eagles star Oliver Edvardsen in for Moro and Mokio, saw Ajax create their first bit of danger inside the first 15 minutes.

After Youri Baas cleared the ball following a corner, Edvardsen escaped and found Steven Berghuis, who passed the ball off to Gloukh, but De Busser comfortably saved his effort.

A rushing Mats Deijl was given space by the Ajax defence and fired a shot at Viteszlav Jaros' goal, but the captain's effort sailed over the bar.

Steven Berghuis thought he'd put Ajax up 3-2 in the 71st minute after he converted on a cross from Owen Wijndal, but the 46-time Dutch international got the ball on his arm as he tried to control it, prompting referee Danny Makkelie to rule out the goal.

Ajax were forced to make their last substitution with 13 minutes remaining as Ko Itakura had to come off with an injury.

Victor Edvardsen tested Jaros in the closing minutes of the match, but the Czech stopper saved his powerful free-kick.

It was the last actual danger any side faced as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

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