Substitutes Propel Ajax to Hard-Fought Season Opener Over PEC Zwolle
On Sunday, Ajax managed to secure a challenging 2-0 victory against PEC Zwolle, bolstered by the impactful contributions of substitutes Jorthy Mokio and Julian Brandt. This opening match of the Eredivisie season highlighted the tenacity of Ajax, even amid uncertainties surrounding star player Mika Godts.
Godts, grappling with whispers of a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain, was surprisingly left out of Ajax’s starting line-up due to fitness concerns. In his absence, 17-year-old Abdellah Ouazane took center stage for his Eredivisie debut. Additionally, both Marc ter Stegen, on loan from Barcelona, and former Monaco defender Caio Henrique made their first starts for Ajax.
Ajax showcased dominance early on, particularly in the first 30 minutes, as they generated several chances against PEC Zwolle’s defense. Ouazane and teammates Steven Berghuis, Kasper Dolberg, and Aaron Bouwman all tested goalkeeper Jesper Schendelaar, yet the team struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, with the breakthrough remaining elusive.
The match took a significant turn when PEC Zwolle’s Sherel Floranus was sent off after committing a reckless foul on Lucas Rosa, reducing his team to ten men. This incident occurred with over 30 minutes left to play, substantially shifting the dynamics of the match in Ajax’s favor.
Despite their numerical advantage, Ajax initially failed to convert this into additional scoring opportunities until the introduction of towering striker Tolu Arokodare. Measuring 1.97 meters, Arokodare made an immediate impact by setting up Mokio, who netted the first goal in the 77th minute.
As the match neared its conclusion, PEC Zwolle attempted to reclaim control, applying pressure to Ajax’s defense. However, it was Julian Brandt who ultimately sealed the victory for Ajax with a well-executed counterattack goal in the 95th minute.
With this win, Ajax not only marked a successful start to their Eredivisie campaign but also set the tone for their upcoming UEFA Conference League third-round qualification matches.
