Ajax draws with Groningen in the Eredivisie and loses the lead to PSV
The Amsterdam team concedes a goal in the 54th minute of the second half and sees PSV take the lead in the table, after opening up a nine-point lead with five games remaining in the championship.
Ajax are on the brink of losing a title that looked set to go into their trophy cabinet after yet another blunder in the final stretch of the Dutch league. The Amsterdam side conceded a 2-2 draw to Groningen on Wednesday, conceding a goal in the 54th minute, and saw rivals PSV take over the top of the table ahead of the final round of the competition. This after having a nine-point lead with five games remaining in the championship.
PSV were the ones to thank for their rivals’ stumble, after doing their part and beating Héracles Almelo 4-1 at home. The combination of results meant the Eindhoven team reached 76 points at the end of the 33rd round, leaving Ajax behind, who had 75. PSV’s last match will be against Sparta Rotterdam, away from home, while their rivals host Twente. Both games will be on Sunday.
The team led by Francesco Farioli took to the field this Wednesday, away from home, under pressure, after reaching three games without a win in the Dutch Championship, with two defeats and a draw in the last matches. Even so, the team continued to depend only on itself to confirm the conquest of the competition in the last two games.
Gaaei eased the pressure early in the first half, opening the scoring for the visitors in the 27th minute. Early in the second half, Van Bergen equalised for Groningen, but Weghorst put Ajax back in front in the 23rd minute. The Amsterdam side only had to hold on to the result to reach the final round on their own, but Blokzijl’s goal in the 54th minute changed their plans.
Ajax will now need to win their final game and hope PSV fail to secure all three points. The Amsterdam side needed just six points from their last five games to mathematically seal the title, but have only picked up two points since then, with two draws and two defeats.
