Ajax march into Conference League third round after convincing Serbia win

Ajax secure four points in Serbia and edge closer to third qualifying round

AFC Ajax are on the brink of reaching the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League after a convincing 4-1 away win against Vojvodina in Serbia. The Amsterdam side dominated the match from start to finish, making the second leg of the second qualifying round almost a formality. With zero goals scored and conceded this season and sitting sixth in the Eredivisie with zero points, the pressure on Míchel’s team remains high.

What happened in Belgrade?

Ajax took the lead early in Serbia. Steven Bergwijn opened the scoring in the 14th minute, following a cross from Sergiño Dest. The Spaniard was the man of the match and doubled the lead in the 38th minute. Brian Brobbey made it 3-0 in the second half, while Vojvodina only managed a late consolation goal. The 4-1 scoreline reflected the dominance shown throughout the match.

Shelbourne await as next opponent

The draw for the third qualifying round pointed to Shelbourne as Ajax’s next opponent. The Irish side beat Nomme Kalju 5-2 from Estonia on Thursday and appear set to face the Amsterdammers. For Shelbourne, this means a second trip to the Netherlands in a short time. In November 2025, they traveled to Alkmaar for a Conference League clash with AZ.

Why is this win important for Ajax?

The victory in Serbia shows that Ajax, despite a disappointing start to the Eredivisie, can still deliver in Europe. Míchel’s team must now focus on the third qualifying round, where they will face the winner of Shelbourne-Nomme Kalju. A strong start in this round could still turn the season around.

What’s next for Ajax?

Ajax must first complete the second leg against Vojvodina, but that now looks little more than a formality after Thursday. Next up is the tie against Shelbourne. The Irish side must avoid a heavy defeat in Estonia to advance to the third round. For Ajax, this means preparing for another European challenge despite the slow start to the domestic campaign. The team sits sixth in the Eredivisie with zero points and must improve quickly to keep up with the competition.