Calvin Bassey on the bench as Ajax cruise to a comfortable victory

Steven Berghuis of Ajax in action against Emmen

Calvin Bassey on the bench as Ajax cruise to a comfortable victory

Stephen Oladehinde 21:58 - 16.04.2023

Ajax secured a 3-1 victory over relegation-threatening Emmen as they keep up the chase for the league title and reduced the point gap to eight points.

Two first half goals from Jorge Sanchez and Steven Bergwijn ensured Ajax was cruising to a comfortable win before adding the third in the second half by Dusan Tadic. Emmen also got a goal for themself during the game which was scored by Jeremy Antonisse but it was Ajax that took all three points at the sound of the final whistle 

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Has it happened

Ajax manager Johnny Heitinga made just one change to his side that defeated Fortuna Sittard last weekend. Nigerian defender Calvin Bassy was also left on the bench for this game. Emmen's manager also made three changes to his side that drew last weekend.

The game started with the home side dominating the proceedings as Ajax player Jurrien Timber produced a goal-bound effort from the edge of the box. The goalkeeper Mickey van der Hart stops the ball from going inside the top right corner.

It was not until the 22nd minute before Ajax opened the scoring. Edson Alvarez played a simple square pass into the feet of Jorge Sanchez in the box, who composed himself and lashed the ball into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0.

Ajax kept putting more pressure on the Emmen backline which later paid off in the 37th minute. Jorge Sanchez puts the ball on a plate for Steven Bergwijn, who scores with a simple close-range finish. The first half ended with Ajax cruising to a comfortable lead.

The second half began from where they left off, but it was Emmen that produced the goal. Ole Haar Romeny puts a cross into the box that finds Jeremy Antonisse, who latches on to it and strikes the ball into the net to make it 2-1.

The third goal for Ajax was added in the 80th minute. Francisco Conceicao found himself with the ball at his feet in space after a lightning counterattack. He looks and slides the ball to Dusan Tadic, who coolly slots the ball past the keeper from close range to kill Emmen’s hope of a comeback

Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey was rarely missed as Ajax cruised to a comfortable victory and moved closer to Feyenoord who are in first position. 

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