Ajax simply qualified for the semifinals of the TOTO KNVB Cup on Wednesday. On the evening that Daley Blind and Hakim Ziyech made their comeback, Vitesse was beaten in Arnhem with 0-3.
Halfway through it was 0-1 thanks to Ryan Babel, who scored on a razor-sharp counter. It was his first goal for Ajax since he returned there this winter. After the break, Ryan Gravenberch made the decision and captain Dusan Tadic signed the penalty for the final score.
In a predominantly boring second half, the substitution of star players Blind and Ziyech at Ajax was the most significant. Blind has recovered after an inflamed heart muscle and Ziyech missed the last games due to a calf injury.
Ajax faces Go Ahead Eagles or FC Utrecht in the semi-finals of the cup tournament. Those clubs meet on Thursday. The same applies to sc Heerenveen and Feyenoord; one of those clubs meets NAC Breda, which caused a sensation on Wednesday evening by beating AZ with 1-3.
The next match of Ajax is Sunday, when the Eredivisie league-leader plays in his own Johan Cruijff ArenA against the last runner RKC Waalwijk. Four days later, Getafe waits in the Europa League.
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Duel between Bryan Linssen of Vitesse and Ajacied Sergiño Dest. (Photo: Pro Shots)
Nice starting phase in GelreDome
The initial phase of Vitesse-Ajax was entertaining. Both teams could have scored within a minute; Vitesse keeper Remko Pasveer made a good save on a effort by Lassina Traoré and Nicolás Tagliafico was just able to intervene when Tim Matavz appeared dangerously.
After a fast pace in the first minutes, both teams took some gas back. The initiative lay with Ajax, but the team of coach Erik ten Hag did not create much for a long time.
Still, after just over half an hour, it hit. Shortly after Traoré missed a chance, he gave the ball to Babel, who was close to close, with a razor-sharp counter.
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Tim Matavz received his second yellow card in the final phase and therefore red. (Photo: Pro Shots)
Second half is disappointing
The second half in the GelreDome was hardly worth the prestige. Ajax did not feel the need to go looking full for a second goal and Vitesse was unable to make it very difficult for the team from Amsterdam.
With about fifteen minutes left, the decision was made: Tagliafico gave in, Donny van de Beek cleverly stepped over the ball and the young Gravenberch hit the ball diagonally. It was the blow to Vitesse.
In the remaining minutes, more good news followed for Ajax, where Blind and Ziyech returned. It was also 0-3 by Tadic, who scored from an easily given penalty, awarded on the advice of the VAR. In protests against that decision, Vitessenaar Matavz received his second yellow card.
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Ryan Gravenberch made the decision in Arnhem in the second half. (Photo: Pro Shots)
View the results and the program in the KNVB Cup
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