The Ajax women’s team suffered a significant defeat against PSV in the Eredivisie Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, losing 4-1. The Amsterdam team fielded a youth team as the main squad is participating in a lucrative tournament in Portugal.
Ajax surprisingly took the lead through Ilayah Dostmohamed, who usually plays in Ajax’s under-nineteen talent team. This goal seemed to awaken PSV, who narrowly missed out on the national title on goal difference on Saturday, at De Herdgang.
By halftime, PSV had already taken the lead with goals from Renate Jansen and Fenna Kalma, both hoping to play in the European Championship with the Dutch national team this summer. Riola Xhemaili and Nina Nijstad completed the score at 4-1.
Ajax is unlikely to place much importance on the defeat, as the club had previously decided to participate in the Eredivisie Cup with youth players. The main squad, coached by Hesterine de Reus, is participating in a lucrative tournament in Estoril, Portugal, starting Wednesday.
In the friendly seven-a-side tournament, 5 million US dollars (approximately 4.4 million euros) will be distributed among the eight participants. The winner of the practice tournament will receive half of the prize money.
Ajax opens the tournament, which lasts until Friday, on Wednesday evening against Bayern Munich. The final of the Eredivisie Cup, a cup tournament featuring the four best teams in the Netherlands, will be played on Saturday. PSV will face either FC Twente or FC Utrecht, who will play each other on Wednesday evening.