AZ Deny Ajax a Birthday Win with Gritty Draw in Amsterdam

Ajax’s 125th anniversary festivities were dampened by AZ, who managed to secure a 2-2 draw in a thrilling contest.

Going into Sunday’s pivotal Eredivisie clash, AZ boasted a seven-match unbeaten streak against Ajax. Earlier in the season, the visitors had bested Ajax not once, but twice; once in the league with a 2-1 victory in December and again in cup competition with the same scoreline in January.

Both teams faced disappointment in the UEFA Europa League merely days before this encounter, with Ajax falling 4-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt and AZ losing 3-1 to Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night. Controversy erupted after Ajax’s defeat, as manager Francesco Farioli made sweeping changes, fielding a squad significantly different from their home leg, which raised eyebrows in the Netherlands.

Farioli made further adjustments for this match by reintegrating striker Brian Brobbey, captain Jordan Henderson, and centre-back Youri Baas into the starting lineup, while Kian Fitz-Jim was given the opportunity in midfield over vice-captain Davy Klaassen.

Special kits were worn by both squads, with Ajax donning a contemporary version of their classic white-red-white outfit, a nod to the first edition, while AZ sported black attire, evoking imagery of the region’s windmills.

The first half got off to a delayed start due to fireworks and was marked by a series of rugged encounters, particularly between Brobbey and AZ’s Wouter Goes, who had previously clashed in earlier matches. With few chances and Ajax’s assistant Felipe Sanchez Mateos receiving a red card for his animated protests towards the officials, both sides went into halftime at 0-0.

Shortly after the interval, the match ignited when Ajax’s Kenneth Taylor nearly scored, but his shot from inside the box struck the post.

AZ swiftly capitalised on defensive errors from Ajax, as Zico Buurmeester capitalised on a loose ball to put the visitors ahead.

The away fans’ jubilation was short-lived though, as Ajax equalised just minutes later with a goal from Anton Gaaei. The Danish right-back executed a slick one-two with Bertrand Traore before coolly finding the net at the far corner.

Red Hot

The match intensified when Gaaei mistimed a tackle, catching Buurmeester’s leg, which prompted VAR to intervene, leading referee Dennis Higler to review the foul. The decision was escalated to a red card for Gaaei in the 74th minute.

But just two minutes later, the scales evened out as AZ lost their Portuguese defender Alexandre Penetra to a second yellow card for a foul on Brian Brobbey. This card generated much frustration among the AZ players, who protested against Higler and called for a temporary halt to the game. Managers Maarten Martens and Wouter Goes urged their players to exit the pitch in their displeasure.

Without leaving the field, the tension escalated as Ibrahim Sadiq restored AZ’s lead, finding space in the Ajax defence during a corner.

However, Ajax retaliated soon after, with substitute Oliver Edvardsen capitalising on a botched clearance by AZ keeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, scoring from the rebound of a mishandled cross from Kenneth Taylor.

The intense contest continued until the final whistle, resulting in both teams sharing the spoils in Amsterdam. Ajax now sees their lead over PSV shrink to six points, while AZ missed the opportunity to break into the top five with a win.