October 27 – Ajax Amsterdam set an Eredivisie record on Saturday when they annihilated 10-man VVV-Venlo 13-0. Lassina Traore scored five times to propel Ajax to the top of the standings.
In 1972, Ajax defeated Vitesse 12-1, but the Amsterdam club broke that record in a second half goal blitz having been 4-0 up at half time. Erik Ten Hag’s team were unleashed when Venlo defender Christian Kum was sent off in the 51st minute.
Ajax scored nine more goals, with Burkina Faso striker Traore getting five goals in total and veteran striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar coming off the bench to get a brace. Even so, Venlo goalkeeper Delano van Crooij still played a respectable match, making ten saves, to prevent further carnage for his club.
“We were very hungry,” said Ten Hag after the match. The Amsterdam club were beaten at home by Liverpool in the Champions League last week. “I have to compliment my team for their mentality. Of course, you always want such matches to be easy, but that is not always that simple.”
Ten Hag however had no compassion for his opponents, who suffered a historic defeat. “This is elite football and you have to keep going,” said the Ajax coach. “It went automatically in our team, which showed the hunger that we want to see from our players. It was enjoyable at times. Now, we must draw a line under the match and move on.”
This week Ajax travel to Atalanta in the Champions League.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734918777labto1734918777ofdlr1734918777owedi1734918777sni@o1734918777fni1734918777