Wissels Hofland gives Willem II the win in Amsterdam | William II
There is still work to be done if Willem II is to really play a significant role in the Kitchen Champion Division. But the way in which the Tilburgers sleep the victory out of the fire at Jong Ajax does offer perspective.
Young Ajax Willem II running after the ball from the first minute and deliberately left the game. Sontje Hansen’s 1-0 in the 21st minute did not come out of the blue. He was given space to take a strike from just outside the box and rammed the ball into the corner.
Not much later Willem II coach Kevin Hofland intervened. He replaced Spit Jizz Hornkamp – who was visibly upset about that – with Jeremy Bokila. The switch had the effect. Willem II later in to appear near the Ajax goal more often. Bokila had the chance of 1-1 shortly before half-time after a cross from Leeroy Owusu, but Ajax goalie Tom de Graaff put a stop to that.
Hofland grabs door
At halftime Michael de Leeuw was replaced by Max Svensson, who died instead of Daniel Crowley playing on the left wing. They were not involved in the equalizing goal in the 48th minute. Kostas Lamprou gave a long pass to Bokila, who cleverly turned away from his top, then won another duel with an Ajax defender and shot the ball hard and low: 1-1.
Because Willem II then enters the duels, it became a less one-sided second half. The home team remained the most dangerous. Youri Regeer, for example, missed a great opportunity in the 67th minute on a quick counterattack. Willem II entered the final phase with Ringo Meerveld for Daniel Crowley and Joeri Schroijen for Nick Doodeman. While they were ready to fill in, Bokila had a chance at the 1-2. After a measured cross from Owusu, the striker headed over hard.
It arrived fifteen minutes before time. This time another substitute had an important role: Max Svensson gave a good through ball to Lucas Woudenberg, who appeared quite suddenly in front of De Graaff and passed the keeper with a nice marker: 1-2. Jeremy Bokila had to be sidelined ten minutes before the end after a major charge; Elton Kabangu was his replacement. Young Ajax still tries to force the equalizer, but not anymore.
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