THE HAGUE, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Ajax suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat against NAC Breda on Sunday in the second round of the 2024/2025 Eredivisie season.
NAC Breda, who were promoted to the Dutch top flight last season, secured their first victory of the campaign.
Just three days after Ajax's grueling 13-12 penalty shootout victory over Greek side Panathinaikos in the third qualifying round of the Europa League, coach Francesco Farioli made eight changes to his starting lineup.
Striker Brian Brobbey, who missed two penalties in the previous match, was given a starting role but squandered an early opportunity in Breda. Shortly after Farioli made his first substitutions, NAC took the lead.
Ajax forward Mika Godts lost possession, allowing NAC to strike decisively on the counterattack. Matthew Garbett beat Ajax goalkeeper Remko Pasveer to open the scoring. However, Ajax responded five minutes later when Jorrel Hato headed in the equalizer from a corner delivered by Steven Berghuis.
The match seemed destined for a draw until injury time when NAC's Belgian captain Jan Van den Bergh, who had an earlier goal disallowed for offside, headed in the winner after outjumping Anton Gaaei. This result marked Ajax's first defeat of the season and NAC's first win.
Meanwhile, Feyenoord enjoyed a comfortable 5-1 victory over PEC Zwolle, with goals from Igor Paixao, Calvin Stengs, David Hancko, and a brace from Santiago Gimenez.
Also on Sunday, reigning champions PSV had a rocky start at Heracles in Almelo. A foul by Fredrik Oppegard resulted in a penalty for the home team, which Brian De Keersmaecker converted in the 5th minute. PSV struggled in the first half but improved after the break. An own goal by Ivan Mesik leveled the score, and Belgian forward Johan Bakayoko put PSV ahead, with substitute Couhaib Driouech sealing the 3-1 win in the final minute.
After two rounds, PSV now leads the Eredivisie table alongside Fortuna Sittard, FC Groningen, and AZ, with all four teams holding a perfect record of six points. ■
