Ajax in remainder of stalled match after halftime past FC Groningen

Ajax regained third place in the premier league from AZ. The Amsterdammers won 3-2 without a crowd at relegation club FC Groningen on Tuesday afternoon, in the remainder of Sunday’s suspended game.

In an empty Euroborg, as a result of the smoke bombs thrown Sunday afternoon that halted the game, the game kicked off again in the ninth minute. The game immediately took place mainly in the FC Groningen half, but chances for Steven Bergwijn and Mohammed Kudus did not yield any goals.

The 0-1 came after all, when Owen Wijndal was floored by Laros Duarte in the penalty area. Referee Manschot decisively pointed to the spot, after which Dusan Tadic exploited the penalty in the 18th minute.

FC Groningen suffered its next setback five minutes later. Top scorer Ricardo Pepi, one of Groningen’s bright spots this season, dropped out with an injury to his head.

Out of nowhere, Florian Krüger, substituted for Pepi, put the home club up 1-1 in the 37th minute, which was also the halftime score.

The same Krüger had a huge chance seven minutes after halftime to put FC Groningen even ahead from a counter, but the German shot hard over in a very promising position.

Without really dominating, Ajax regained the lead in the 68th minute. Kudus followed up a good action with a cross that Brian Brobbey coolly tapped in.

Nine minutes before the end, it was 1-3. Ajax defender Jurriën Timber headed in a sharply cut free kick from Tadic. The Serbian captain played a good game with one goal and one assist behind his name. Duarte set the final score at 2-3 in the 87th minute.

With two more games to go, Ajax is now two points ahead of AZ again in the battle for the third spot that entitles them to the playoffs for the Europa League next season.