Super Eagles' Calvin Bassey was on the bench as Ajax played out a 0-0 draw with Go Ahead Eagles
Nigeria's Calvin Bassey was on the bench for the duration of the match as Ajax played out a 0-0 draw against Go Ahead Eagles in the Eredivisie to put their title race in further jeopardy.
Ajax had been neck-a-neck with current league leaders Feyenoord before losing to them ahead of the international break, and were hoping that a win over the mid-table Eagles would be enough to help them keep up the pace with the top of the table.
Unfortunately, Ajax were unable to get more than a point against Go Ahead Eagles, leaving the gap between them and Feyenoord at five points, with the league leaders having a game in hand and an opportunity to increase the lead to eight points with a win over Sparta Rotterdam.
How it happened
Despite controlling possession for much of the game, Ajax failed to create clear chances, as they failed to break down Go Ahead Eagles' defence which stood firm for 90 minutes.
Ajax failed to turn their 68% possession in the game to chances, as they were only able to create one big chance in the game, which forward Brian Bobbey failed to convert early in the first half, forcing a save from Jeffrey De Lange in goal for the hosts.
Ajax also had goalkeeper Geronimo Riulli to thank for the point on Sunday, as the Argentine denied Finn Stokers from the hosts' best chance of the game.
Ajax slipping to familiar problems under Heitinga
After seven wins on the bounce in the Eredivisie following the appointment of ex-player Johny Heitinga, Ajax have now dropped points in two consecutive games, putting their title challenge on the ropes.
With a potential eight-point gap opening up between Ajax and Feyenoord at the top of the table, and only seven matches, left it seems almost impossible that the Amsterdam side will catch up, and they might have to settle for second place this season.
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