The Eredivisie giants crumbled to a new low on Thursday after they exited the Dutch Cup in remarkably disappointing fashion
Chuba Akpom was on target for Ajax Amsterdam as the former Eredivisie champions stumbled out of the KNVB Beker following a humiliating 3-2 loss to USV Hercules, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ajax’s impressive run of four straight wins in December was halted at the weekend after they threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with PEC Zwolle at the Johan Cruijff Arena.
John van’t Schip’s men were favourites to bounce back to winning ways on Thursday night as they faced fourth division side USV Hercules in the second round of the Dutch Cup.
However, a poor Ajax team showed up at the Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht, allowing Hercules to hold a two-goal advantage heading into the final ten minutes of the encounter.
Brian Brobbey finally displayed some quality in the final third for Ajax, firing home in the 83rd minute to halve the deficit for the former European champions.
Moments before stoppage time, Akpom popped up in the six-yard box to tap home Anton Gaaei’s cross from close range, dragging Ajax back on levelled terms.
However, Hercules, who had won just one of their last seven games in the Derde Divisie, found the winning goal in the 93rd minute through substitute Mats Grotenbreg to send their more illustrious opponents out of the KNVB Beker.
Akpom would be even more disappointed as this was his first appearance and first goal in the competition.
The former Arsenal man had found his range in recent weeks, scoring five goals in the Eredivisie and three in the Europa League. Akpom now has nine goals in 19 games for Ajax.
After their giants-killing antics against Ajax, Hercules will join Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar, Den Haag, Nijmegen, AFC, Quick Boys, Excelsior Maassluis, Cambuur, Sittard, Excelsior and Groningen in the round of 16 of the Dutch Cup.
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