Ajax started 2017 with a 3-1 victory over PEC Zwolle which keeps them in touch with leaders Feyenoord.
- Follow Football-Oranje on Twitter
PEC Zwolle began the game brightly and only fine interventions from Joel Veltman and Andre Onana prevented the hosts from taking an early lead.
Just after the half-hour mark, Ajax were dealt a blow with Amin Younes forced off the field, which led to 17-year-old Justin Kluivert making his Eredivisie debut. The youngster almost marked it with an assist but Anwar El Ghazi couldn’t finish after his fine through ball.
Eight minutes into the second half, El Ghazi was fouled in the box earning Ajax a penalty, which Lasse Schone dispatched to break the deadlock. A minute later it was 2-0 as Hakim Ziyech finished a long ball from Veltman.
PEC Zwolle gave themselves hope of a comeback when Nicolai Brock-Madsen headed past Onana to make it 2-1 but Ziyech then sealed the victory with a great burst into the box and finish on 80 minutes.
The win keeps Ajax five points behind Feyenoord in second while PEC Zwolle are 16th.
Follow
Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter
