Ajax have been dealt their first heartbreak of the season after suffering a hammering against PSV in Saturday's Johan Cruyff Shield. The Crusaders, led by Alfred Schreuder, gave up an earl lead to pick up a 5-3 defeat against their fiercest rivals, missing out on their first title win for the season in the process.
Schreuder, who was appointed as the replacement of new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, saw his side start the proceeding in a brilliant fashion. After just 16 minutes of play, former PSV winger Steven Bergwijn marked his debut by scoring the game opener against his boyhood club. However, parity was restored just after the half-hour mark with Guus Til rising above Owen Wijndal to nod in Cody Gakpo's cross. The tide turned in favor of Ruud van Nistelrooy's side after the two players combined again to score the game's third on the stroke of half-time.
Ajax had a tough mountain to climb in the second half but were able to restore hope for a brief period. Wijndal atoned for his failure to deal with PSV's opener by setting up Antony to score the equalizer in the 54th minute but Cody Gapko capitalized on a blunder by Jay Gorter to put his side in front once again. Four minutes later, PSV stretched their lead to two with Til grabbing his hat-trick after being set up by Luuk de Jong.
Substitute Mohamed Kudus fired home a half-volley to cut down the lead to one once more although any hope of Ajax managing a comeback was ruined after the sending off of debutant Calvin Bassey in the 78th minute. PSV's own debutant Xavi Simons came on for Gakpo and made his mark by putting the icing on the cake, making the scoreline 5-3 in the 91st minute.
Thirteen time Johan Cruijff Schaal winner #AJAPSV #JCS2022 pic.twitter.com/3jypBIiWsE
— PSV (@PSV) July 30, 2022
