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Calvin Bassey was unable to help Ajax as they lost ground in the race for the Eredivisie title
Ajax’s hopes of claiming the Eredivisie title this season were dealt a massive blow after they fell to a 3-2 defeat at home against Feyenoord.
The top-of-the-table clash was meant to help Ajax catch up to Feyenoord but instead has widened the gap between the Netherlands’ top two clubs this season.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey played for 90 minutes but was unable to help his side avoid defeat as an 85th-minute goal from Feyenoord right back Lutsharel Geertruida broke Ajax hearts.
How it happened
Ajax had started the game on the wrong foot after conceding in the opening five minutes as Santiago Giménez put Feyenoord in front.
In a frantic first 45 minutes, Ajax fought to find their rhythm after being kicked senseless by Feyenoord’s more aggressive style, which saw them pick up two first-half yellow cards.
The visitors should have had a man sent off after Quilindschy Hartman, who was already on a yellow card, brought down Mohammed Kudus, but referee Danny Desmond Makkelie chose to be merciful.
Ajax found their way back into the tie, delivering some telling fouls of their own before drawing level thanks to a header from defender Edson Alvarez.
The home side went into the break ahead thanks to Dusan Tadic’s goal after a swift counterattack.
However, they fell to two second-half goals as Sebastian Szymański scored early in the second period and Geertruida scored late on to give Feyenoord all three points.
Ajax’s title dreams suffer major blow.
Ajax suffered their first league defeat under manager Johnny Heitinga and now find themselves six points off the pace in the Eredivisie.
While their hopes for a third consecutive Eredivisie took a massive blow, the race is not over yet and Ajax will have to continue working to make up the six-point deficit.
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