Two teams with contrasting fortunes met at the Parkstad Limburg Stadion on Wednesday, in a game that saw six goals, three in each half. Roda JC Kerkrade, second from bottom of the league took on title chasing Ajax.
Despite their lowly league position Roda JC took the lead after less than two minutes play and pulled the Ajax defence apart. Goalkeeper Andre Onana over committed, leaving Simon Gustafson to try his luck at goal. Ajax's Frenkie de Jong did his best, but the ball had clearly crossed the line leaving the home side 1-0 ahead after less than two minutes.
The score didn't stay that way for long though and Donny van de Beek equalised for Ajax after good work from Justin Kluivert. 1-1. Ajax's second goal wasn't as simple and produced the stand out moment of the match. Kluivert, a constant threat throughout, threaded the ball to Hakim Ziyech who hit a thunderbolt to give Ajax the lead.
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar made it 3-1 to Ajax after a clever one-two with Donny van de Beek.
Substitute Jorn Vancamp added a second for Roda to pull the match back to 2-3 and give Ajax fans a few tense moments towards the end. But Nicolas Tagliafico's cross eluded the entire Roda defence allowing Huntelaar to score his second and Ajax's fourth.
The win means Ajax are now unbeaten in 11 Eredivisie games. Erik ten Hag's team remain second with 51 points, seven behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven who beat Excelsior 1-0 on Wednesday. Roda JC stay second from bottom with just 16 points.
