Ajax have suffered their first defeat of the campaign after going down 1-0 at Groningen.
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Ajax started the campaign with three straight wins but were missing Mohammed Kudus an Perr Schuurs against Groningen. Ryan Gravenberch and Jurrien Timber came into the eleven.
Ajax were the better side in the first half but they created very little. Zakaria Labyad had the best chance but his effort was straight at Sergio Padt.
Early in the second half, Andre Onana could only parry a strike from Jörgen Strand Larsen, and Remco Balk netted on his first start for Groningen. The hosts nearly doubled their lead shortly after but Ramon Pascal Lundqvist hit the post.
Ajax then threw everything forward to equalise but five minutes before the end, Dusan Tadic hit the crossbar before Klaas Jan Huntelaar also struck the woodwork. Despite eight minutes of added time, Ajax could not find the equaliser.
Groningen take the three points and move seventh, while Ajax are fifth.
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