Ajax’s revival under interim manager Fred Grim gained further momentum on Sunday as they secured a crucial 2-0 victory over arch-rivals Feyenoord.
Goals from Davy Klaassen and 17-year-old Jorthy Mokio dealt a significant blow to Feyenoord, who have now lost seven of their last ten matches after a promising start to the season.
The clash arrived in contrasting moods for both sides following their midweek European fixtures.
Ajax celebrated their first UEFA Champions League points with a 4-2 win in Azerbaijan against Qarabag, while Feyenoord’s Europa League campaign suffered another setback with a late defeat to Romanian side FCSB.
Grim continued to place trust in youth, giving 17-year-old midfielder Sean Steur a start in place of the injured Kenneth Taylor.
Aaron Bouwman, another academy product, was also handed a starting role due to Josip Sutalo’s absence. Feyenoord, meanwhile, welcomed back league top scorer Ayase Ueda, who had missed Thursday’s European tie due to illness.
This match marked the 200th meeting between the Dutch rivals and was notable for the eerily empty stands behind the Ajax goal.
Following a previous fan disruption, Ajax banned their F-Side hooligan group from attending, while Feyenoord fans have been absent since 2009.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the seventh minute through Bart Nieuwkoop, set up by Luciano Valente, but his header flew over the bar.
Ajax responded quickly, with captain Davy Klaassen breaking the deadlock in the 13th minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box—his fourth goal in this fixture and his first at the Johan Cruyff ArenA.
Opportunities continued to flow for the hosts. A chance for Sean Steur was denied by Tsuyoshi Watanabe in the 24th minute, while Mika Godts orchestrated another promising move in the 37th, ultimately blocked by Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther.
Feyenoord finished the first half without a shot on target, a record they hadn’t endured since December 2021.
The second half began with a golden opportunity for Feyenoord as Ueda attempted to capitalize on a Valente pass but shot wide. Ajax nearly doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Oscar Gloukh headed over a cross from Owen Wijndal.
Later, Targhelline’s midfield turnovers created further chances for Ajax, with Kian Fitz-Jim and Mika Godts both narrowly missing.
The match was finally sealed in stoppage time, with Jorthy Mokio striking a precise shot into the near corner in the 94th minute, giving the young Belgian midfielder a memorable debut goal and sending Ajax fans into celebration.
Feyenoord’s title hopes continue to fade amid their poor run of form. They now sit nine points behind leaders PSV, with Ajax climbing to just five points behind the Rotterdam side in third place.
