Ajax Miss Chances in 0-0 Draw, Will Face Groningen in Play-Offs

Ajax held by Heerenveen, forced into Conference League play-offs

Kasper Dolberg and Maher Carrizo were denied by Heerenveen keeper Bernt Klaverboer late on.

Refereeing decisions sparked debate after Lucas Rosa avoided a red and Ajax were denied a penalty...

Ajax will have to go through the Eredivisie play-offs to reach the UEFA Conference League after a 0-0 draw with Heerenveen on Sunday.

They needed a win to keep their Champions League qualifying hopes alive. Instead, Ajax finished behind both FC Twente and NEC, who started the final matchday two points and one point ahead respectively.

Interim manager Oscar Garcia made four changes to his starting lineup for the must-win game. Ko Itakura, Sean Steur, Davy Klaassen, and Wout Weghorst came in for Josip Sutalo, Youri Regeer, Oscar Gloukh, and Kasper Dolberg.

Ajax struggled early against Heerenveen. By the 30-minute mark, the Amsterdam side had managed just two shots on goal.

Anton Gaaei created Ajax’s first clear chance in the 37th minute. The Danish defender forced Bernt Klaverboer into a reflex save that tipped his powerful shot onto the crossbar.

Ajax picked up the tempo near the end of the first half. Sean Steur came close to breaking the deadlock twice within a minute.

Heerenveen’s Sam Kersten almost scored only the second goal of his career. His surprise effort drifted just wide of Maarten Paes’ post.

The game was soon overshadowed by refereeing decisions. Lucas Rosa avoided what could have been a red card after catching Oscar Braude on the ankle. Ajax were also denied a penalty when Braude pulled back Davy Klaassen’s shirt.

Rain Halts Ajax’s Late Push

Ajax’s hopes of snatching a European spot slipped away in the closing minutes. Steur Steur’s effort went straight to Klaverboer, and Jacob Trenskow’s strike from inside the box missed the target.

Kasper Dolberg came on after a heavy downpour hit the Abe Lenstra Stadion. His low shot forced a save from Klaverboer, but all it earned Ajax was a corner with ten minutes left.

Maarten Paes almost gave Heerenveen a way back in when he fumbled a corner. Both Ringo Meerveld and Dylan Vente had open goals to put the hosts ahead but missed their chances. Not long after, Jacob Trenskow sent his shot just over the bar.

Draw in Heerenveen. #heeaja pic.twitter.com/BcMa1Zc37q

— AFC Ajax (@AFCAjax) May 17, 2026

Seconds after coming on, young Argentinian Maher Carrizo found himself one-on-one with Klaverboer. The soaked pitch made control difficult, and he couldn’t beat the Heerenveen keeper. After both Trenskow and Carrizo had further attempts, referee Joey Kooij brought the match to an end.

Ajax now head to the Eredivisie play-offs, where they will face FC Groningen in the semi-final next week.