After a dramatic start to the competition, Ajax has already climbed to fifth place in the Dutch league, but things went terribly wrong again on Thursday evening. Fourth division USV Hercules beat the Ajax players 3-2 in a crazy cup match.
Ajax dominated almost the entire first half, but when Hercules put his nose to the window it was immediately bingo for the amateurs. Jordi Paulina reached the end line and laid back for Tim Pieters, who was able to kick in his first of the evening into an empty goal.
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Of course, Ajax continued to dominate, but Hercules also created some chances in the second half. After a beautiful attack in minute 65, Tim Pieters even made it 2-0 with an unparalleled curl. What an evening for the 22-year-old amateur footballer.
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Everyone started to fully believe in a stunt victory, until Brian Brobbey equalized for the Amsterdam team in minute 83. Hercules’ amateurs were desperate and barely six minutes later the score was level through Chuba Akpom.
And yet it still happened for the fourth grader. While Ajax was still looking for the 2-3, Hercules made it 3-2 himself. Substitute Mats Grotenberg deflected in a free kick and the Utrecht stadium exploded.
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The amateurs of Hercules, tenth in the Dutch Third Division, can therefore go to the third round of the cup. This is a new blow for Ajax after things have improved recently.
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