A resolute ADO Den Haag held Ajax to a 1-1 draw in the Kyocera Stadion thanks to a string of saves by goalkeeper Robert Zwinkels.
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Marcel Keizer stated in his Friday press conference that Kasper Dolberg remained the number one striker in Amsterdam, but the Dane was dropped for the clash on Sunday with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar preferred.
With Justin Kluivert and Frenkie de Jong also in the starting line-up Ajax dominated from the start against an ADO side who finally go their first win of the season at Willem II last weekend. Kluivert sent an early chance wide before Robert Zwinkels made a good block to deny Amin Younes.
In the 28th minute, the deadlock was broken by the visitors with Hakim Ziyech’s free kick headed past Zwinkels by Joel Veltman.
ADO Den Haag barely threatened in the first half, but a minute into the second period Danny Bakker almost equalised with his prod towards goal having to be tipped around the post by Andre Onana. Ziyech then forced Zwinkels into a good save moments later before De Jong hammered a shot against the woodwork.
As the half wore on, Ajax failed to kill the game and confidence grew in ADO Den Haag, who hit the post through Erik Falkenburg. With twenty minutes to go the hosts did equalise as Bjørn Johnsen took down a Sheraldo Becker cross before lashing a shot past Andre Onana.
Almost immediately, ADO Den Haag went close to taking the lead, but the hosts then suffered a huge blow with Ricardo Kishna suffering what could be a serious knee injury. The Lazio loanee and former Ajax attacker left the pitch in tears before being stretchered off.
The last ten minutes saw Ajax lay siege to the ADO Den Haag goal but Zwinkels made excellent saves to deny Huntelaar and Matthijs de Ligt, while Lasse Schone’s drive hit the bar.
A well deserved point for ADO Den Haag, but two dropped for Ajax who could fall five points behind Feyenoord if they triumph at PSV.
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Good point for DEN HAAG,but Ajax should have put this game out of sight even before half time. Ajax tempo way too slow in the second half at time ,they have to stop taking the ball into crowded area, trying to beat players when you do not have to.