Ajax won Saturday afternoon’s friendly against Anderlecht. At the Toekomst sports complex, Erik ten Hag’team won by 5-2. Dani de Wit scored twice in the first half. After the break, Kik Pierie, Victor Jensen and Klaas Jan Huntelaar contributed with goals of their own.
This was Ajax’s third practice match of the pre-seaason, and the team’s first at home. Prior to this, during training camp in De Lutte, they had also played against Quick ’20 (2-11) and Aalborg BK (1-1).
Incomplete selection
Erik ten Hag had to make do without his internationals against Anderlecht. Most of them will return on Monday. The Ajacieds with tournament commitments – currently, the Copa América and Africa Cup are still being played – will return to Amsterdam even later.
Vincent Kompany played with Anderlecht. The defender has been appointed as a player/coach and had given himself a starting spot at de Toekomst. A spot was also given to Michel Vlap (who transferred this week from Heerenveen).
The Belgians made the better start in Amsterdam, but left 3 good opportunities on the table in the first 20 minutes. Keeper Bruno Varela made a save on a Michel Vlap shot, and Adrien Trebel was also unable to pull the trigger after that. The midfielder first hit the post and then, unencumbered, sent a lob over Varela.
Merciless De Wit strikes
These turned out to be costly missed opportunities, because on the opposite side of the field, Ajax struck mercilessly, twice. De Wit made good in the 25th and 27th minute. Both times, the formula was an attack on the right side. With the opening goal, Lassina Traoré almost lost a duel against Kompany, but the striker recovered the situation and was able to send De Wit a taylor-made pass: 1-0.
The goal-scorer was able to score again from a similar position, bringing the score to 2-0.
Just before halftime, Anderlecht came back somewhat, via Sidney Sam. The right winger dribbled in and made good with his left foot.
Lively first fifteen minutes
After halftime, five new Ajax players came onto the field. One of the players who had remained, Pierie, scored the 3-1 goal from a corner. After that, the pace picked up, and after just over an hour of play, the score was 5-1. Jensen scored on a rebound from the edge of the box, and Huntelaar scored on a pass from Noa Lang.
The goal against Ajax in the second half was simply a statistic. The Ajacieds left the field with a big win in the pocket.
Ajax – Anderlecht 5-2 (2-1). 25. De Wit 1-0, 27. De Wit 2-0, 44. Sam 2-1, 48. Pierie 3-1 55. Jensen 4-1, 61. Huntelaar 5-1, 67. Mbodji 5-2
Line up Ajax first half: Varela; Dest, Veltman, Magallán, Pierie; Eiting, Ekkelenkamp, De Wit; Lang, Traoré, Danilo.
Line up Ajax second half: Kotarski; Dest (68. J. Timber), Schuurs, Botman, Pierie (68. Kemper); Q. Timber, Ekkelenkamp, Jensen; Lang (68. Taylor), Huntelaar, Danilo (68. Kühn).
Source: AFC Ajax