Ajax once again failed to beat Utrecht at the Galgenwaard stadion after a late Gevero Markiet goal rescued the home side a 1-1 draw.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
Since Frank de Boer became Ajax coach in 2010, the club have never won in the Cathedral city, and once again Utrecht frustrated Ajax on Sunday to all but kill off their title hopes.
The first half was a dull affair with neither side creating any clear cut chances, although Willem Janssen nearly bundled the ball into the net for the home side, while just before the break a Lasse Schone free kick struck the post.
Six minutes after the break Ajax had the lead in fortunate circumstances as Lasse Schone’s corner kick struck Utrecht defender Ramon Leeuwin and flew into the net.
Ajax failed to build on the goal, and it was Utrecht who bombed forward with Jasper Cillessen having to make a good save to deny Tommy Oar’s long range effort which was flying into the top corner. With ten minutes left Utrecht threw on Gevero Markiet to act as a target man, and the plan worked as the big defender stabbed in the equaliser after Sebastian Haller won an aerial challenge in the box.
Straight after the goal Leeuwin’s poor afternoon was compounded as a poor challenge on Nicolai Boilesen earned the Utrecht captain a straight red card, but the home side held on for a point.
Ajax are now ten points behind PSV, who will surely wrap up the title in the next two weeks, while Utrecht edge closer to guaranteed safety in 12th.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
