Chuba Akpom’s powerful header off the bench played a pivotal role in Ajax Amsterdam’s 2-0 win against SC Heerenveen in the Eredivisie on Sunday.
As the team continues to chase PSV Eindhoven at the top of the table, Akpom reminded his coach, John Heitinga, why he should be played in his natural striker position after displaying his skills with a real striker’s instinct, footballrover reports.
Chuba Akpom’s ‘real striker’s goal’ seals vital win for Ajax
Ajax opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from Josip Šutalo, but despite several opportunities, the team struggled to increase their lead.
The match remained closely contested in the second half until Akpom’s 73rd-minute arrival changed the game.
His header from a corner kick not only secured three points but also left Ajax just one point behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.
Reflecting on his contribution, Akpom described his goal as a “real striker’s goal,” where he had to time his movement perfectly and apply force to make the most of the opportunity.
He also expressed satisfaction with the goal, stressing his belief in the importance of his role.
“A real striker’s goal. I had to pull back slightly and try to put as much force into heading it as possible. Yes, I am really pleased with that goal,” Akpom said as quoted by the club’s official website.
Chuba Akpom’s goal highlights Ajax’s resilience in the title race
Akpom’s performance emphasised the strength and mental resilience of Ajax, who continue to push forward in the league despite setbacks.
Although Akpom’s positioning on the team has often been out of sync with his natural role, he has proven time and again why he remains crucial to the team’s success.
With eight goals across all competitions this season, Akpom’s latest goal serves as a reminder of his quality and his worth to Ajax in their ongoing title challenge.
Meanwhile, when questioned about Ajax’s pursuit of PSV Eindhoven in the title race, Akpom, who ranks behind Brian Brobbey and Wout Weghorst in the striker hierarchy, chose to minimise the importance of the league standings at this stage of the season.
“You’re looking for sound bites. But we really don’t see it that way. We still have so many games ahead of us. That just becomes distracting. We have to keep our feet on the ground,” he concluded.
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