FC Volendam is relegated from the Premier League for the tenth time after losing to Ajax

NOS Football•today, 4:24 PM

View the summary of FC Volendam – Ajax

The botter ‘Heen en Weer’ sails again in Volendam, this time to the first division. FC Volendam lost 1-4 to Ajax at home on Sunday, making relegation a fact. It is the tenth relegation from the Premier League for FC Volendam, a record.

While RKC Waalwijk showed itself extremely sharp earlier on Sunday with a 0-5 win at Heracles Almelo, FC Volendam showed more resignation. The belief in enforcement was already gone at De Dijk and it showed.

It was fortunate for the home team that Ajax made the same impression. There was also little passion to be found in coach John van ‘t Schip’s team. On the day of the PSV championship, Ajax really needed a victory in the battle for fifth place.

Ajax had to do without suspended captain Steven Bergwijn and Benjamin Tahirovic was also absent due to suspension. Volendam missed coach Regillio Simons, who was sick in bed at home. Assistant Michael Dingsdag did the honors.

It was a flat first half. The home team thought they deserved a penalty after a tumble by Damon Mirani over Ajax goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, but the Volendam captain turned out to have been offside after a VAR check.

After two chances for Brian Brobbey, it was Kenneth Taylor who opened the scoring with a placed shot high into the net after putting Chuba Akpom back. With a header wide, Vivaldo was close to the equalizer.

At the start of the second half, Ajax was still not fully awake and Volendam started alert. Left winger Darius Johnson was in charge of Josip Sutalo and lobbed the ball over Rulli. The Brit’s effort ended up on the inside of the post.

After that nice start, the match continued and Ajax decided the game in the 59th minute. An action by Mika Godts from the left ended via Volendam keeper Mio Backhaus at Akpom and the Englishman put the 0-2 on the scoreboard.

Brobbey also added a goal. The striker won the game against Mirani, broke free and placed the ball with his left foot in the corner. It was the striker’s eighteenth goal of the season. Taylor made it 0-4 with his second goal of the day and Volendam substitute Benaissa Benamar prevented Ajax from keeping a clean sheet with a header.

For example, Ajax, where Steven Berghuis made his return as a substitute after two months of absence due to a back injury, played a better second half and the club did well in the battle for fifth place. After the season, that place is good for a place in the preliminary round of the Europa League.

The sadness of relegated FC Volendam in images

Volendam mourned its fourth relegation in its last five Premier League seasons. At least, it wasn’t really grieving, there was only a single tear to be seen on De Dijk. The fate was too clear in advance for that. The home team even received modest applause.

After a season full of noise, especially off the field, the Volendam team must focus on a resurrection in the first division. On a new journey from the ‘To and Fore’ towards the Premier League. That has happened before. Volendam has been promoted ten times, also a record.