A horrible week for Ajax ended with a much needed 2-0 win over VVV Venlo in Limburg.
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The midweek Europa League exit in Norway meant Ajax headed to Venlo in desperate need of a victory and a good performance to get their season going. However, VVV have had an excellent start to their Eredivisie campaign and they made life difficult for the visitors in a goalless first half. Amin Younes created the best opportunity of the half but he sent a curling effort over the bar from the edge of the box.
Unimpressed by what he saw, Marcel Keizer called on Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and David Neres at half time and both substitutes played a crucial role as Ajax earned the victory in the second half.
On 55 minutes, Huntelaar’s excellent run into the box was found by Younes and the striker’s lay-off was perfectly into the path of Donny van de Beek who stroked the ball into the net from close range. It was the midfielder’s first Eredivisie goal and capped a good week for the youngster, who was called into the Netherlands squad for the upcoming matches with France and Bulgaria.
Fifteen minutes later, Neres sealed the victory with a lovely chipped effort over VVV keeper Lars Unnerstall, who had come rushing out of his goal. Ajax could have added more before the end but settled for a 2-0 victory and a crucial three points.
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