The race for the Eredivisie title, the highest caste of the Dutch League, intensified when Ajax Amsterdam successfully defeated its main rival, PSV Eindhoven on Sunday (31/3) at Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam. This game is the biggest match considering the two teams are the Eredivisie top teams this season.
The match runs hot with a high tempo. Ajax was able to open the scoring in the 21st minute through an own goal by PSV defender Daniel Schwaab, who wrongly anticipated Judge Ziyech’s cross. Ajax took a 1-0 lead over PSV until half time. The atmosphere changed in the second half when Ajax had to play with 10 players when Noussair Nazraoui had to get a red card in the 57th minute for lifting his foot too high to hit Angelino’s face. Though there are complaints regarding the red card, the referee decision stood still. Not long after the incident, Angelino’s gastric pass was able to be utilized by Luuk de Jong’s header which changed the score to 1-1. The atmosphere intensifies within the stadium as both fans are wondering who would come out as a winner from this Clash of Titans.
Playing with 10 players did not make Ajax look weary. In the 68th minute Ajax awarded with a penalty after Daniel Schwaab broke David Neres in the penalty box, the referee points to the spot after seeing VAR (Video Assistant Referee). Dusan Tadić, who was the executor of a successful penalty, brought Ajax back to excellence. Although PSV was able to master the game, Ajax solidified the victory in second half injury time through a David Neres goal.
Ajax 3-1 victory over PSV narrowed the gap between the two points to 2 points. PSV still sit at the top of the Eredivisie standings with 67 points from 27 matches, at odds of 2 points from Ajax in second place. The remaining 7 matches until the end of the season, PSV and Ajax are the most likely to become champions of the Eredivisie 2018/2019. It would be interesting to follow who will come out as the winner at the end of Eredivisie league in mid 2019.
ASL
