Ajax’s miserable season has reached a new low. The Amsterdam team made a agonizing early exit from the cup with Hercules Amateurs. Mats Grotenberg was the grand champion in the fourth division. He scored the winning goal in a crazy final phase, as Ajax went from 2-0 to 2-2.
In competition, the days of crisis seem like a distant past. Ajax was once the red lantern of the Eredivisie, and now is already competing for European tickets in fifth place.
But the title? They can forget about it for a while in the Dutch capital. So the KNVB Trophy is the fastest and only way to get the Medal of Honor.
Hercules, a fourth-grader, had to become a snack in the second round. But it soon became clear that the matter was completely different.
The lack of intensity and commitment quickly caused the capital team to struggle.
After fifteen minutes of football, Hercules used the visitors as training pawns and had already scored 1-0. The fans in attendance couldn’t believe their eyes when they looked at the scoreboard.
Although it didn’t stop there.
When Tim Peters – the unknown 22-year-old striker – scored again with a powerful volley to win 2-0, it seemed that the fairy tale had become a reality.
Ajax have already sensed the mood and moved them up two gears (at least).
Goals from Proby and Akpom shattered Hercules’ dream a minute from time. But then a final agreement had to be reached.
Mats Grotenberg provided huge relief in extra time. The small club from Utrecht writes a piece of cup history with its first victory since 1937 (!) at the expense of a hot evening for the record champions in the Netherlands.
The days of crisis are not far away this season.
Related:
“Subtly charming internet specialist. Avid writer. Friendly alcohol guru. Music ninja. Devoted social media fanatic.”
More Stories
Thibaut Ness loses the leader's jersey to Ayuso in the Tour de Romandie, and McNulty wins the time trial
“AA Ghent is on the verge of despair: a disaster scenario in the making”
KRC Genk box office: close to 100 million marks