Ajax’s flawless start to the Eredivisie season came to an abrupt halt in Deventer as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by a determined Go Ahead Eagles side. Despite an early lead and late pressure, the Amsterdam giants were forced to settle for a single point, while the Eagles celebrated their first of the season.
Early Advantage for Ajax Quickly Neutralized
Ajax wasted no time asserting themselves, opening the scoring within three minutes. A poor clearance by Gerrit Nauber gifted Davy Klaassen a golden opportunity, which the captain calmly headed home. The early breakthrough looked to set the tone for a dominant Ajax performance.
Chances soon followed for Anton Gaaei, Raul Moro, and Steven Berghuis, but none found the net. Kenneth Taylor had the clearest opportunity to double Ajax’s lead after a driving run from Owen Wijndal, yet his shot drifted just wide of the far post — a miss that proved costly.
Go Ahead Eagles Capitalize on Defensive Lapses
The hosts responded swiftly. In the 20th minute, a lapse in marking allowed Melle Meulensteen to nod in a Victor Edvardsen cross, leveling the score. Ajax’s defensive frailty was further exposed just before halftime when Edvardsen delivered another pinpoint ball into the box. Evert Linthorst met it with a thunderous finish into the top corner, giving the Eagles a surprise 2-1 lead.
Late Ajax Equalizer Salvages a Point
The final stages of the match brought drama in abundance. After Go Ahead Eagles nearly extended their lead through a Suray header — which was ruled offside — Ajax finally found their equalizer. In the dying moments, Youri Baas capitalized on a second ball from a corner, heading past Jari De Busser to make it 2-2.
VAR Drama and Missed Chances Define Second Half
Ajax believed they had reclaimed the lead midway through the second half when Berghuis converted a cross from Wijndal. However, the goal was ruled out for handball after Berghuis controlled the ball with his arm. Injuries continued to plague the visitors, with Ko Itakura forced off late, and Ajax struggled to break down the compact Eagles defense.
Edvardsen had a final opportunity to steal the win for the home side with a powerful free-kick, but Viteszlav Jaros produced a crucial save to deny him.
Heitinga’s Lineup Choices Under Scrutiny
Ajax manager John Heitinga’s decision to leave Oscar Gloukh on the bench once again drew attention, particularly as the midfield struggled to maintain control in key moments. The introduction of Gloukh and former Eagles standout Oliver Edvardsen in the second half brought some spark, but it wasn’t enough to secure all three points.
