With the senior squad recording a much-needed win, away against VVV Venlo, we’re all glad the European downfall hasn’t continued in the Eredivisie. Question remains, however, if Marcel Keizer is the right man for the job and if the new signings are good enough. But that’s a thought for another time. This weekend, Jong Ajax played at home against Fortuna Sittard, whilst the U19’s and U17’s faced off against PSV and Feyenoord respectively for the their league super cups. On we go!

With Sunday Oliseh re-appearing in Amsterdam once more, the former Nigerian international is Fortuna Sittard’s manager, assistant manager Winston Bogarde and manager Michael Reiziger experienced a good start of the game. Within the first minute, Matteo Cassierra was found at the edge of the box and the Colombian calmly slotted away the 1-0 behind goalkeeper Miguel Santos.

Just 10 minutes later, the home side could cheer again. Miguel Santos got all the time in the world to play the ball, but somehow ended up putting it straight into Muric’ feet. The Croatian then found Cassierra, whom intricately placed it back at the wingers’ feet and Robert Muric then netted the second goal of the night.

In the 18th minute, Dennis Johnsen picked up the ball in midfield only to show his electric pace and dribbling ability. After skipping past 3 defenders, he placed a pass in front of Cassierra, but the striker cut it wide from the right side of the box. Just a few minutes later, Johnsen got a big chance after Santos made a wayward pass yet again, but his lofted shot twirled just over the bar. Moment later, Mazraoui turned away nicely from his defender and his a shot onto the bar and Johnsen also fired a shot high of goal.

In the second half, Jong Ajax characteristically dropped off and allowed Fortuna the chance to go forward, which resulted in some good chances for the away side. Luckily, Lamprou was on his post and denied the strikers from Limburg a few times. In the 52nd minute, Muric got another chance but his curler ended up hitting the bar. However, the ball remained in play and in the rebound, Johnsen put in a cross for the Croatian to make it 3-0. Fortuna didn’t drop back though and just a few minutes later Perr Schuurs put home the 3-1.

In the 60th minute, Dankerlui didn’t pay attention as a ball was pumped up the field and Semedo gratefully took advantage of that. Pacing away from the Ajax defender, a low push in the bottom left corner was enough to get it past Lamprou and make it 3-2. The odds were on for a typical Ajax implosion, were it not for the new boy, Dennis Johnsen. In a flash of brilliance, he made his way past 2 defenders and then proceeded to chip the ball over Miguel Santos’ head into the empty net. A simply amazing 4-2.

In the closing minutes, Fortuna thought they had scored the 4-3, were it not for their striker being offside. A few more chances followed for the away side, but they couldn’t push through and so Reiziger recorded another win after a good opening half.

The U19’s played PSV in their supercup meeting, starting the game in a really slow pace, with Ajax keeping possession and PSV looking for a quick counter-attack. A sloppy pass by Ter Heide gifted PSV forward Piroe the chance to score and he made an early 0-1 in what proved to be a game to be forgotten for Johnny Heitinga and his men. The 0-2 came from another defensive error, with Bakker and Lang gifting the ball to Aboukhlal whom calmly put it home. Just before half time, Piroe made the misery even worse by making it 0-3.

In the second half, nothing really changed. Mauro got past the Ajax defence all by himself, cut inside and slotted home the 0-4. Shortly after, Aboukhlal made the second of the day, scoring the final nail in the 0-5 coffin. In the 70th minute, Kemper even got a red card and so Ajax saw an embarrassing defeat out with 10 men.

Luckily, the U17’s did a lot better against their competitors from Feyenoord. In a whirling opening of the game, Vink’s boys did well as Kenneth Taylor launched Sontje Hansen. The prolific forward then kept his composure and found a wide open Brobbey, whom put home the 1-0. After that, the home side created numerous chances but unfortunately couldn’t increase the lead.

Half time proved to be a pivotal point in the game, as fortunes and chances changed hands. Eventually, after hitting the post earlier, Lake made a calm and collected 1-1 early on. The rest of the game proved to be slow and sloppy, both sides not creating an awful lot of chances and playing far to slowly. Despite getting a few chances at the end to score, it remained 1-1 at full time.

During extra time, Ajax had to acknowledge Feyenoord were the better side, as the away squad started ticking and eventually made it 1-2. It took Vink and his playes the full 110 minutes, but in the final seconds Maduro scored from an inswinging cross.

Penalties followed, nails were bitten. As Feyenoord missed their 3rd spot kick, Van Gelderen hit the back of the net and gave Ajax the lead. Ben Sallam then scored the 4th too and Feyenoord ended up missing their 5th, crowning the Ajax U17’s as the winners of the supercup.