Ajax squander two-goal lead as AZ and Groningen set early pace in Eredivisie

Ajax surrendered a two-goal advantage at home and were held to a 2-2 draw by sc Heerenveen on Sunday, one of two unexpected dropped-point results for the Dutch heavyweights that left AZ Alkmaar and Groningen sharing the Eredivisie lead after two rounds.

Late Heerenveen strike denies Ajax

Ajax opened the scoring in the first half after an own goal by Bernd Klaverboer put the hosts ahead. Moments later a strike by Abdellah Ouzane — described in match reports as a superb effort in the 33rd minute — pushed Ajax to a comfortable two-goal cushion.

But Heerenveen reduced the deficit just before half-time through Jacob Trenskow. Despite Ajax applying pressure for much of the second half, it was the visitors who had the final say when substitute Maxence Rivera found the net with a fierce shot in the 82nd minute to secure a 2-2 draw.

Wider implications: title favourites drop points

The result at Ajax’s ground mirrored developments elsewhere in the league. Feyenoord also surrendered a two-goal advantage at home, drawing with Go Ahead Eagles after leading through first-half goals from Gjivai Zechiël and Ayase Ueda. Go Ahead Eagles fought back with goals from Søren Tengstedt and a headed equaliser by Stefan Ingi Sigurdarson, who scored shortly after coming on as a substitute.

Those results cleared the way for AZ and Groningen to take the early lead in the table. AZ continued a strong start to the season with a 4-1 victory at Utrecht. The Alkmaar side produced a rapid burst around half-time — three goals in a five-minute spell — beginning with a header from Peer Koopmeiners from a corner, followed by a run and narrow-angle finish by Weslley Patati. Mexx Meerdinck made the result safe with a goal early in the second half, and Ayoub Oufkir added a late fourth.

Groningen matched AZ’s scoreline with a 4-1 win at newly promoted ADO. The visitors took a direct approach, racing to a 3-0 lead before half-time. According to match accounts, all three early goals were created from long balls initiated by goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen. Thom van Bergen opened the scoring after 15 minutes, with Brynjólfur Willumsson and David van der Werff adding to the tally. A 21-year-old substitute, Nils Eggens, headed in a fourth nine minutes from time.

What this means for Ajax supporters

For supporters following Ajax from near and far — including many in Ajax, Ontario who track Dutch football closely — the draw underlines a season-opening pattern: promising positions can evaporate quickly if a team fails to close matches out. Ajax’s inability to add a crucial third goal after going 2-0 up will be a point of debate among fans and analysts alike.

• Ajax 2-2 Heerenveen — goals: Bernd Klaverboer (own goal), Abdellah Ouzane; Jacob Trenskow, Maxence Rivera
• AZ 4-1 Utrecht — goals: Peer Koopmeiners, Weslley Patati, Mexx Meerdinck, Ayoub Oufkir
• Groningen 4-1 ADO — goals: Thom van Bergen, Brynjólfur Willumsson, David van der Werff, Nils Eggens

Those results leave early-season tables and narratives in flux. Ajax will need to address both game management and finishing if it hopes to press for the title without slipping further behind high-flying rivals.

"Ajax looked to be cruising when they went two up, but they could not find a third and Heerenveen had the last word."

With the season still in its opening days, the standings are porous and narratives will shift quickly. For Ajax fans watching from Ontario, the takeaway is clear: the team has the attacking moments to establish control, but must shore up consistency to avoid letting precious points slip away.