Jong Ajax claimed a key victory in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie on Saturday. The team secured a 2-1 win over De Graafschap thanks to a late goal from Jano Monserrate in the closing stages.
The home side at Sportpark De Toekomst took the lead just before halftime. A short back-pass from De Graafschap defender Gabriele Finocchiaro was intercepted, allowing Emre Ünüvar to slot home in the 43rd minute. After the break, Donny Warmerdam equalised for the visitors by heading in a free-kick from Mark Diemers.
The winner came in the 79th minute. Jano Monserrate delivered a cross from the right that evaded everyone and found the net at the far post. "Jano Monserrate made the winning goal for Jong Ajax," the player said afterwards. Goalkeeper Charlie Setford then prevented a De Graafschap equaliser, condemning the visitors to their sixth defeat of the season.
After eleven matches, both Jong Ajax and De Graafschap now have eleven points and share 16th place in the standings. The win comes as AFC Ajax's first team sits fourth in the Eredivisie with 18 points from nine games, a record of five wins, three draws and one loss. The senior side, which has scored 27 goals and conceded 12, won 2-5 at FC Groningen last Sunday with Julian Brandt scoring twice, and Brandt is the club's top scorer this season with six goals. Ajax's recent form over the last five league matches is two wins, two draws and one defeat. The team currently trails leaders Feyenoord by five points.
The first team has an away fixture against Sparta Rotterdam on the schedule for next Sunday 25 October. Sparta Rotterdam currently sits 13th in the table. In other KKD action this weekend, Jong PSV lost to FC Dordrecht despite the debut of new nine-million-euro signing Sami Ouaissa. Roda JC Kerkrade beat Jong FC Utrecht 2-1 with a late Anthony van den Hurk goal, moving to 19 points. Almere City are second with 22 points, while VVV-Venlo are third and host FC Dordrecht next Saturday.
The report in full is at Voetbal International
