Ajax enjoyed a productive summer workout as they claimed a 3-1 win away to Eerste Divisie promotion hopefuls Volendam in an international club friendly. The Amsterdam side's superior quality told over the ninety minutes, although the hosts made a late impression of their own in front of their supporters.

Pre-season context

With the new Eredivisie season approaching, Ajax used the fixture to build fitness and test combinations. The coaching staff looked at a blend of experienced players and promising academy graduates, with the aim of sharpening attacking movements and consolidating defensive coordination before competitive action begins.

How the goals came

• 23rd minute: Ajax's young winger opened the scoring, cutting inside from the left and bending the ball into the far corner after a flowing team move.
• 41st minute: A set-piece routine caught Volendam flat-footed as Ajax doubled the lead with a near-post flick.
• 56th minute: Ajax added a third with a fast counter-attack, rounded off by a cool finish from the edge of the area.
• 74th minute: Volendam struck a consolation through a sharp header, giving the home fans a moment to cheer.

Tactical story

Ajax controlled possession for long stretches but, crucially, they mixed their play well: patient passing was interrupted by rapid vertical switches to the wide areas. Volendam pressed in the middle third and tried to play out from the back, but often found Ajax's counterpress difficult to bypass. When they did progress, the final pass was often missing, though their consolation goal proved that a direct approach can yield rewards against a rotated defence.

Standout players

The pick of the bunch was Ajax's creative playmaker, who pressed relentlessly and produced two key assists. The sharp finishing from the wide players will also be noted by the staff as they decide their starting XI for the first league match. For Volendam, the goalkeeper made several strong saves to keep the score respectable, while the defensive line held up well under sustained pressure for long periods.

What comes next

Ajax will take several positives from the friendly, particularly their clinical finishing and the growing understanding in attack. Volendam, though beaten, can take encouragement from their bright spells and the spirited response after falling behind. Both sides continue their preparation programme before their respective league seasons begin.