As expected, Ajax reached the third round of the TOTO KNVB Cup on Wednesday evening. The team from Amsterdam made a fairly uninspired impression against third divisionist Barendrecht, who ultimately had to concede ‘only’ four goals: 4-0. Erik ten Hag awarded three players from Young Ajax their debut in the main squad during the match. Kristian Hlynsson, one of those debutants, also immediately scored his first goal with a wonderful penalty in the intersection.
Ten Hag decided to completely change his team: only Lisandro Martínez of the usual basic players started the game. André Onana started under the bar, while Victor Jensen and Kenneth Taylor formed the block in midfield. Also number ten Davy Klaassen was allowed to start in the base again. Up front, David Neres, Danilo and Mohamed Daramy got a chance to prove themselves.
Danilo gives Ajax a 3-0 lead after this beautiful attack ?? ?? ESPN 2 #?? #AJABAR pic.twitter.com/lbe8zX0j0v
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Dec 15, 2021
Ajax’s opening goal fell in the tenth minute. Devyne Rensch was able to tap into the axis of the field to Kenneth Taylor, who was released in the penalty area and calmly tapped in: 1-0. Daramy scored a penalty a minute later, after the left striker passed no fewer than four defenders in an impressive solo and was then put down. Danilo shot the ball in from eleven meters: 2-0.
At Ajax, the concentration seemed to drop a bit after that. The team from Amsterdam undertook several serious attempts at goal in the remainder of the first half, but also allowed Barendrecht to become dangerous. After Rensch’s stupid loss of the ball, Ugur Altintas tried
it daring from the midline. Onana hurried back to his goal and was there just in time to catch the ball. Danilo then shot straight at keeper Jeffrey Verkerk from about ten meters, so that Barendrecht took the break with only two goals against.
Immediately after the break, Youri Regeer, the captain of Young Ajax, made his debut in the main squad of the team from Amsterdam. Barendrecht scored within a minute via Niels Vorthoren, but was unlucky that the goal was rejected due to offside in the run-up. A few minutes later Ajax combined beautifully through the defense of the amateur club. Klaassen sent a handy heel to Danilo, who finished it from close by with the left: 3-0.
Ajax played the remainder of the second half dutifully and created few opportunities that were played out. Amourricho van Axel Dongen was allowed to make his debut for the team from Amsterdam in the final phase as a substitute for the disappointing playing Daramy. That honor then also fell to Hlynsson, when the Icelander came in for Klaassen. Hlynsson was kicked hard by Max van Dijk two minutes before the end and was allowed to grace his debut from eleven meters with a goal: 4-0. Hlynsson convincingly rammed the penalty into the corner.