THE HAGUE, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Reigning champions Ajax drew 2-2 at Vitesse in the first round of the Dutch Eredivisie season 2019/2020 on Saturday.
Without Frenkie de Jong, who left for FC Barcelona, and Matthijs de Ligt, who moved to Juventus, Ajax won the Dutch Super Cup last Saturday by beating PSV.
Coach Erik ten Hag had a place for new signings Lisandro Martinez and Razvan Marin in the starting line-up again, just like against PSV.
However, this match in Arnhem was a different story. Matus Bero put Vitesse in front in the 13th minute with a shot, defelected by Ajax defender Perr Schuurs.
Donny van de Beek underlined his top form with the equalizer. The 22-year-old Ajax midfielder, who attracted the interest of Spanish giants Real Madrid, found the net with a fierce shot on an assist by Hakim Ziyech.
Former Ajax player Riechedly Bazoer put Vitesse in front again and the visitors seemed to loose control. However, Dusan Tadic saved a point on an assist by Van de Beek and Ajax even had chances to win but Kasper Dolberg and Daley Blind missed good opportunities.
For the third season in a row, Ajax dropped points in the opening round of the season. Also on Saturday, PSV, the main rivals for Ajax in the Dutch championship race, dropped points as well.
At promoted FC Twente in Enschede, PSV drew 1-1. The 19-year-old Japanese forward Keito Nakamura earned the home-team an early lead by turning inside and placing the ball in the net.
PSV had difficulties to create and to get to fluent attacks. The equalizer came through a header by Denzel Dumfries.
