Ajax started the preparation for the new season with a resounding victory. Coach John Heitinga’s team was too strong for Scottish Hibernian with 6-3 in a goal fest at Sportcomplex De Toekomst on Saturday.
Ajax was already 2-0 up after fifteen minutes thanks to two goals from Steven Berghuis. The attacker opened the score with a shot into the top corner, after Brian Brobbey had headed onto the crossbar a few minutes earlier. Shortly afterwards, Berghuis made it 2-0 from a pass by Mika Godts.
Shortly afterwards, Hibernian came back via Martin Boyle, but before half-time Ajax extended the lead to 5-1. Godts scored the next two goals for Ajax with shots in the near and far corner. Kian Fitz-Jim made the fifth goal for the Amsterdammers from a pass from Brobbey.
Ajax started the second half with a completely new team. Nine minutes after half-time, Ahmetcan Kaplan headed in the 6-1 from a corner, but after that Heitinga’s team took it a little easier. Hibernian did score twice via Junior Hoilett and Kieron Bowie.
It was Ajax’s first match under the new coach Heitinga. The former defender is the successor to the departed Francesco Farioli.
Son Van der Vaart gets a chance to prove himself
Several players made their unofficial debut for Ajax. Goalkeeper Vítezslav Jaros, who came over from Liverpool, and talents Aaron Bouwman and Nick Verschuren appeared at the kick-off. Jordan Henderson and Kenneth Taylor were missing for the Amsterdammers.
After the break, youth players Damián van der Vaart (the nineteen-year-old son of Rafael van der Vaart) and Skye Vink (the nineteen-year-old son of Marciano Vink) were given the opportunity to prove themselves. Vink came close to scoring with a shot on the post.
Next Saturday, Ajax will continue the preparation with a home match against Danish Aarhus GF. After that, the team will also play against PAOK and Celtic, among others.