NOS Voetbal•vandaag, 18:44
View the summary of RKC Waalwijk – Ajax
Three days after the strong showing against Besiktas in the Europa League, Ajax recorded an economical victory at RKC Waalwijk: 0-2. Most attention in Waalwijk went to a substitute for the home team. Mohamed Ihattaren made his return as a professional footballer after the break.
Ihattaren has had dark years behind him, but the former top talent from PSV, Ajax and Juventus, among others, gets the chance to breathe new life into his career in Waalwijk. For the first time today, against his old club, he sat on the bench and the crowd chanted his name.
The 22-year-old Ihattaren played his penultimate professional match on May 6, 2022, on behalf of Jong Ajax against De Graafschap in the first division. His last appearance for Ajax 1 was in the cup final against PSV on April 17 of that year and his last match in the Premier League was on April 24, 2021, on behalf of PSV against FC Groningen.
The last time in the Premier League was three years ago. Shortly after the start of the second half, Ihattaren taped his shin guards and a return seemed imminent. In the 78th minute the time had come and the left foot came on.
New wingers at Ajax
Ajax then had a 0-1 lead. Three days after the meeting with Besiktas, Ajax coach Francesco Farioli had given wingers Bertrand Traoré and Mika Godts a rest and Christian Rasmussen and Jaydon Banel were allowed to try.
The fact that Farioli called on the 21-year-old Dane and the 19-year-old Amsterdammer showed the options on the wings at Ajax. These are limited, partly due to the late departure of Steven Bergwijn and the cancellation of the arrival of Kamaldeen Sulemana.
NOS
Rasmussen and Banel illustrated the weakness with unimpressive performances in the first half. Both had a chance to shoot, but shot too wildly. A cross from Banel to striker Brian Brobbey was just too sharp.
With a free kick on the post, Branco van den Boomen came closest to an Ajax goal. Once there was the proven combination between Brobbey and Kenneth Taylor, but Taylor shot a meter wide.
Wing substitutes make a difference
To his visible disappointment, Brobbey was replaced by Chuba Akpom in the 56th minute. Rasmussen was also substituted and a little later Banel also made way and the entire vanguard was replaced.
While Ihattaren was preparing to come on as a substitute, Ajax took the lead. Via substitute Kian Fitz-Jim, the ball reached captain Davy Klaassen, who hit the post via goalkeeper Jeroen Houwen and Traoré shot the rebound neatly into the short corner (0-1).
ANP
The other wing substitute Mika Godts also scored a goal on a pass from Traoré, from a counter in injury time (0-2).
Quick danger
RKC had nothing to offer in return. A minute after the start of the match, the Waalwijkers could have already opened the scoring, but a cross from the right from Denilho Cleonise missed Oskar Zawada and Chris Lokesa. RKC never came any closer to a goal after that.
Ihattaren was also unable to turn the tide. He had a few ball contacts in RKC’s midfield, but he did not play a significant role. At least, not for RKC. The minutes were of great significance for Ihattaren. The beginning of his resurrection?
