Ajax defeat AZ to win Dutch Super Cup

The victorious Ajax team

The Hague, July 28 (IANS) Ajax captured their first trophy of the season by beating AZ Alkmaar 3-2 after extra time in the Dutch Super Cup, called the Johan Cruijff Schaal.

Reigning Dutch champions Ajax dominated the first half against Cup winners AZ Saturday, without creating major chances. Although new signing Bojan Krkic, who arrived on loan from FC Barcelona, created some danger, reports Xinhua.

In the second half Johann Berg Gudmundsson handed AZ the lead and his Icelandic compatriot Aron Johannsson surprisingly doubled the score. Ajax bounced back through a free-kick by Christian Eriksen, deflected by AZ defender Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, and another Icelandic player, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson made it 2-2.

Ajax captain Siem de Jong led Ajax to victory with a header in the 103rd minute.

“I think in the end we deserved the victory,” Ajax coach Frank de Boer said.

“This match cost a lot of energy this early in the season. Lucky for us we did not suffer injuries.”