Whilst the draw with PSV was the focal point of the weekend, it was another busy weekend at De Toekomst as well. On friday, the Reserves played against Helmond Sport in the Jupiler League. On saturday, the U19’s dropped points for only the second time this season against Willem II and the U17’s brought 3 points back from Almere through a shining victory against the local FC.
Marcel Keizer was a happy but also lucky manager, after the Reserves bumped their heads in a strange game against Helmond Sport. The boys started out quietly in the game, which favoured the home side. Early in the first half, sloppy play led to some faults from Bergsma and Lartey-Sanniez and the latter eventually put the ball into the back of his own net; 1-0.
After conceding, the squad woke up and started pushing forward; it eventually lead to the equaliser from Justin Kluivert, cutting inside from the winger and slotting it past the goalkeeper by curling it onto the inside of the post. 1-1. Just after half time, Ajax continued to push and the first goal of Deyovasio Zeefuik in professional football followed; 1-2.
Not much later, another first could be noted as regular full-back Dankerlui slotted home from range and made it 1-3 in the 60th minute. Teije ten Den brought back a bit of excitement into the game by making it 2-3 after some clumsy defending (not the first time on the evening), but it wouldn’t last for long as the first professional goal by Noussair Mazraoui brought the full time score up to 2-4.
Helmond Sport – Jong Ajax highlights
Daishawn Redan was the man of the afternoon on Saturday, as he scored an impressive 4 goals for the U17’s in their rout away at Almere. Remarkably, all goals were scored in the second half. The first half consisted of Ajax dominating but not creating any real chances, mainly keeping possession and passing it around. At half time, Vink demanded more from his players and they delivered in the second 45 minutes.
In the 49th minute, Redan netted from a Margaret assist. Many chances followed the goals, for both sides, but Ajax managed to make it 0-2 after another tidy finish from Redan. Shortly after, Neslo scored from a freekick rebound to make it 1-2 but Almere’s resistance wouldn’t last long. Daishawn Redan quickly finished it off, by scoring in both the 71st and 72nd minute, making it 1-4 at full time and ensuring the U17’s went into 2017 on a roll.
Ajax U19 – Willem II U19 highlights
Aaron Winter’s boys started out reasonably well against the Tilburgers, creating a few chances and releasing some shots on goal. Nothing followed from it, though, and the away side also got some chances to take the lead. Ajax grabbed the game by the scruff of it’s neck just before half time and with good result, as Dani de Wit made it 1-0 just before heading into the dressing rooms.
The second half started out with Ajax having a firm grip on the game, De Wit nearly making his second of the afternoon but just putting it wide. He also got a chance to score from the penalty spot, but unfortunately missed, and, as it always happens to be so in football, if you don’t score, they will. After an error from De Lange, Willem II got a penalty kick of their own and in the 79th minute Koks scored to make it 1-1.