The match between Jong Ajax and Helmond Sport did not yield a winner on Monday evening. In the first game of the new period, John Heitinga’s team was stronger, but it was 1-1. De Graafschap won 0-2 against Jong FC Utrecht and is now sixth, one point behind number five Jong Ajax. Jong AZ came back three times from behind and kept FC Den Bosch in a 3-3 draw.
Young Ajax – Helmond Sport 1-1
Helmond had to do without the suspended defender Boyd Reith, one of the best players in the team. In the first half, Jong Ajax had most of the ball and Helmond tried to become dangerous through the counter. However, the pace was low and Helmond kept the spaces in the back small, so that there were few opportunities that were played. The goals that Ajax fired went wide or were prey for Mike Havekotte. Young Ajax also started the second half with offensive intentions, but still conceded a goal. Jellert van Landschoot got the ball in front of his feet and used one of Helmond’s few chances. Halfway through the second half, Enric Llansana successfully extended a turning corner from Naci Ünüvar, allowing Ajax to take another point.
Young FC Utrecht – De Graafschap 0-2
From the first whistle, it was the team of coach Reinier Robbemond that dictated the game. In the seventh minute of play, Jasper van Heertum was centimeters short to nod in a pass from Giovanni Korte, while Jeffry Fortes saw how goalkeeper Kevin Gadellaa saved three minutes later. On behalf of Jong FC Utrecht, Djevencio van der Kust handed out a pinprick in the form of a lob that went wide. The score was opened in the 34th minute of play. After a sloppy loss of ball in Gabriel Culhaci’s midfield, Hicham Acheffay was able to take over. The latter delivered the ball to Korte, who scored beautifully from the edge of the box: 0-1. In the second act, De Graafschap took his foot off the accelerator. Fortes tried his luck twice more, but was unable to double the lead. Danzell Gravenberch succeeded in that. The substitute shot the ball into the top corner after a lightning-fast counter: 0-2.
????????????????! Danzell Gravenberch with his fourth goal as a substitute for @DeGraafschap this season ???? pic.twitter.com/KxLX5ASf55
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) Dec 20, 2021
Young AZ – FC Den Bosch 3-3
William van Overbeek took the honors at Den Bosch, because head coach Jack de Gier was suspended for the second time this season. The visitors took the lead in the thirteenth minute via Preben Stiers, who used a falling ball, but only a minute later it was 1-1. Zico Buurmeester tied the score on a cross by Mohamed Taabouni. Jizz Hornkamp gave Den Bosch the lead again, after which he also earned a penalty when he was knocked down. Hornkamp shot that penalty, however, hard on the crossbar. At the start of the second half, AZ came alongside via a rebound from Iman Griffith, but Stiers made it 2-3 after a good play by Hornkamp. Just before time, AZ made up for a third time deficit, as Taabouni curled the ball past keeper Wouter van der Steen.
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