Belgian Brilliance Lights Up Ajax's Dominant Win: A Match That Had It All
In a thrilling Eredivisie showdown, Ajax delivered a masterclass performance, crushing Fortuna Sittard 4-1 in a game that showcased both individual brilliance and team cohesion. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a statement of Ajax's resurgence, or simply a fortunate day for their Belgian trio? Let’s dive in.
The match, held at the iconic Johan Cruyff ArenA, started with a buzz as Oleksandr Zinchenko made his full debut for Ajax following his January move from Arsenal. However, the Ukrainian’s introduction was short-lived. Just six minutes in, a seemingly innocuous foul by Fortuna’s Dimitris Limnios forced Zinchenko off the pitch, leaving fans and pundits alike wondering if this was a missed opportunity for the left-back to prove his worth. And this is the part most people miss: despite the setback, Ajax’s depth shone through, with Jorthy Mokio stepping up to replace the injured Youri Regeer and immediately making an impact.
Mokio’s goal, assisted by Kasper Dolberg’s clever free-kick, set the tone for the match. Rayane Bounida then doubled Ajax’s lead with a perfectly placed strike, marking his first Eredivisie goal. But the real story of the day was the Belgian connection. Mika Godts, Bounida, and Mokio—all Belgians—combined to score all four of Ajax’s goals, a feat not seen since the 2006/07 season. Is this the rise of a new Belgian era at Ajax, or just a one-off performance?
Fortuna Sittard didn’t go down without a fight. Limnios, despite his early foul, found space to cross the ball, which was inadvertently turned into the net by Ajax’s Josip Sutalo. The visitors also had a golden opportunity late in the game when former Ajax striker Kaj Sierhuis missed an open goal, a moment that could have shifted the momentum entirely. Yet, it was Godts who sealed the deal, firing home Ajax’s fourth goal with just minutes left on the clock.
The second half was quieter, but not without its drama. Dolberg, still searching for his first league goal in a month, hit the post and was later denied by a referee’s call for a push. Oscar Gloukh, introduced in the second half, nearly added a fourth but lacked support in front of goal. Wout Weghorst, too, had his chances but failed to convert, leaving Ajax with a 4-1 victory—their first win in February after draws against Excelsior and AZ.
This win temporarily propelled Ajax to third place in the Eredivisie, but the bigger question remains: Can they maintain this form? With the Belgian trio firing on all cylinders, Ajax looks poised for a strong finish to the season. But what do you think? Is this Belgian trio the key to Ajax’s future success, or is it too early to tell? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s spark a debate!
