Ajax Triumphs in Greek Showdown Against Heracles to Claim Third Victory in Two Months

After a disappointing 2-1 defeat to FC Twente last weekend that saw them slip to fifth place, Ajax had everything to prove. The return of Oscar Gloukh and Ko Itakura, back from a two-month injury layoff, bolstered the squad for this crucial clash.

The Amsterdam side made a strong start, taking the lead within the first 15 minutes when Mika Godts exquisitely lobbed the ball over a rushing Remko Pasveer, who was playing against his former teammates, following a perfectly timed deep ball from Jorthy Mokio.

Ajax quickly doubled their lead as Steven Berghuis found the net, powerfully placing his shot into the far corner of Pasveer’s goal after a well-organised attacking move involving slick passing on the edge of the Heracles penalty area.

The closing half-hour of the first period saw both teams unable to threaten each other’s goal, allowing Ajax to head into the break comfortably ahead by two goals.

Continuing from where they left off, Ajax began the second half with renewed energy, extending their lead to three with Berghuis scoring his second of the night, deftly rolling the ball past Pasveer during a swift counter-attack.

Defender Youri Baas became a hero to the travelling Ajax fans by performing an impressive clearance off the line, thwarting Heracles from getting on the scoresheet.

The woodwork thwarted Ajax twice in the second half. First, a hand from Pasveer denied Wout Weghorst’s attempt, and then in the 70th minute, Mika Godts was denied a goal, hitting the crossbar.

With a 3-0 lead, a potential comeback nearly materialised for Heracles when Takehiro Tomiyasu received a red card merely 14 minutes after his introduction, being sent off for a last-man foul on Lequincio Zeefuik.

Nonetheless, Heracles could not capitalise on their numerical advantage, and Ajax secured just their third Eredivisie win since February 1st, as they chase a second-place finish and a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League.