Ajax kick off Eredivisie revival with opening day win 🇳🇱
Ajax opened the 2024/25 Eredivisie season with a 1-0 win over Heerenveen on Sunday.
Scorer: Hlynsson 45′
After a tumultuous campaign last year, Dutch giants Ajax started their season on a positive note after claiming all three points in Amsterdam.
New boss Francesco Fariol made numerous changes to his starting lineup, notably benching Jordan Henderson, Brian Brobbey, Kenneth Taylor, Carlos Forbs, Devyne Rensch, Jorrel Hato and Jay Gorter.
40 – Remko Pasveer (40 years and 277 days) is the first 40-year-old to ever play an @eredivisie match for @AFCAjax. Prime. pic.twitter.com/QqkItHsLKR
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) August 11, 2024
Meanwhile, a Dutch legend was on the opposition bench as Robin van Persie began his managerial career with Heerenveen.
Ultimately, Fariol’s decision to call on the young talent at his disposal proved successful. A 19-year-old Mika Godts combined with 20-year-old Kristian Hlynsson for the game’s only goal.
41 – Aged 41 years and five days, Robin van Persie is now the youngest @scHeerenveen manager in Eredivisie history. Promise. pic.twitter.com/J9tCobdxD5
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) August 11, 2024
The Icelandic midfielder drilled home a shot from inside the box after some fancy footwork from his team-mate set him up.
Ajax called upon the veteran talent to round out the second 45 minutes, and despite having less possession of the ball overall, Heerenveen’s two shots on target weren’t enough for an equaliser.
The Amsterdam side will want to find more goals in the future, as they sit sixth in the table after day one due to their goal differential.