Caretaker manager Fred Grim was forced to make a change to his starting XI after midfielder Kenneth Taylor left the club on Friday, signing with Lazio. Sean Steur, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, replaced Taylor as the youngster looks to become a mainstay in midfield.
The record champions were ruthlessly effective in the opening minutes in Velsen-Zuid, scoring with their first two attempts via Oscar Gloukh, whose shot took a deflection, and Mika Godts, who was launched by Youri Baas and easily beat Ronald Koeman Jr. in the one-on-one.
The visitors had little to worry about in the first half, with Telstar shooting just once and failing to create a single big chance.
Their uphill battle became nigh on impossible after debutant Cedric Hatenboer was sent off following a reckless challenge on Youri Regeer, who was forced to leave the game with a wound on his calf.
Centre-half Youri Baas put the game seemingly beyond doubt for Ajax in the 72nd minute, heading home a corner from substitute Rayane Bounida.
That same Youri Baas gave Telstar a glimmer of hope five minutes later, scoring an own goal to add to his goal and assist. Telstar captain Danny Bakker scored Telstar's second in the 84th minute, making the final minutes all the more meaningful.
Following Bakker's goal, however, Telstar couldn't create a single chance as Ajax held onto their 3-2 lead in the final minutes.
The Amsterdam giants closed the gap to second-placed Feyenoord to three points after their 2-2 draw with Heerenveen earlier on Sunday. Ajax will visit AZ next for their third-round KNVB Beker matchup on Wednesday, January 14th.
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