Ajax records a difficult victory over Willem II
Ajax booked a difficult victory over Willem II in the Eredivisie on Saturday. Due to a late goal by Jurrïen Timber, the team of coach Erik ten Hag won 0-1 in Tilburg.
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Twenty-year-old Timber was in the right place in the eightieth minute to work in a cross from Antony from close range and with some luck fumbled the ball into the goal.
Until that moment Ajax had the best of the game, but had not yet managed to score. Top scorer Sébastien Haller was close to scoring five minutes earlier, but he hit the post. Shortly after the break, the VAR rejected a goal from Dusan Tadic because Antony was offside earlier in the attack.
Thanks to the victory, the team from Amsterdam is leading the way in the Eredivisie. Ajax is at the top with 57 points and eight points more than number two PSV. The people of Eindhoven can still narrow that gap if they manage to win against sc Heerenveen in the Philips Stadium on Sunday.
The victory means that Ajax can work towards the diptych with Benfica in the eighth finals of the Champions League with a reasonably good feeling. The first game with the Portuguese is scheduled for Wednesday in Lisbon.
Ajax and Willem II don’t make it a spectacle
Ajax and Willem II both seemed to be bothered by the soaking wet field in the sold-out Koning Willem II Stadium. That meant that there was little to enjoy, especially in the first half.
On behalf of the home team, Jizz Hornkamp had the best chance to score halfway through the first half. The attacker was free in the penalty area and was able to strike, but hit the ball wrong.
After the break, the game picture was different and Ajax took the initiative. The visitors also seemed to take the lead in the 56th minute thanks to a beautifully placed long shot from Tadic, but because Antony had received a failed shot from Davy Klaassen earlier in the attack, that goal was rejected by the VAR.
Timber must be replaced after goal
Ajax seemed to get new energy because of that rejected goal and then frequently sought the attack. Klaassen should have opened the score in the 71st minute, but after he had outplayed Willem II goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther, he waited too long to shoot. This allowed Wessel Dammers to intervene.
Ten minutes before time it was still hit for Ajax. Antony’s cross was tailor-made, so Timber didn’t even have to hit the ball well to score. His goal was immediately his last action of the game. Timber slid against the post on his goal and had to be replaced, although he did not appear to be seriously injured.
Willem II was no longer able to force the equalizer after Timber’s goal. Ajax finished the match professionally and booked the seventh Eredivisie victory in a row.
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