Footballer Logan Jimenez featured for Hibernian FC today as they concluded their pre-season training camp with a demanding behind-closed-doors fixture against Dutch giants Ajax at De Toekomst, Ajax’s training centre in Amsterdam. The hosts ran out 6-3 winners in what proved to be a challenging test for the Scottish side.
The match served as a crucial opportunity for both teams to get valuable minutes into the legs of as many players as possible, with both sides making wholesale changes to their starting XI for each 45-minute period.
Hibs started with good urgency, creating an early opportunity within the first couple of minutes. However, Ajax's quality shone through. Steven Berghuis opened the scoring for Ajax in the eighth minute with a perfectly placed side-footed shot from outside the area that nestled into the top corner. Berghuis quickly doubled their lead minutes later with a first-time finish from inside the box after a low ball from the touchline.
The Hibees responded well, pulling one back on the 15-minute mark. Jordan Obita played a significant role, making a surging run from deep in his own half down the left wing before whipping in an inviting cross, which Martin Boyle managed to provide the final touch to after a deflection.
Ajax, however, were clinical in front of goal, restoring their two-goal cushion when Mika Godts curled home from the edge of the area after 20 minutes. Goalkeeper Jordan Smith pulled off a good save to deny Godts again, but Godts made no mistake a minute later, finding the corner from outside the box once more. Ajax midfielder Cian Fitz-Jim then added a fifth with a first-time finish, as the Dutch side displayed a ruthless streak to lead 5-1 at the break.
As planned, Hibs made a number of changes for the second half, introducing a completely new starting XI. Despite starting the second half positively, they were pegged back when Ahmetcan Kaplan headed home a set-piece in the 54th minute. Lewis Miller had an opportunity to pull one back from a set-piece, but his powerful header flew agonisingly wide.
Jimenez, Joseph McGrath, and Junior Hoilett were introduced to the action on the hour mark, replacing Jamie McGrath, Josh Campbell, and Jordan Obita. The Hibees got their second of the afternoon courtesy of a brilliant touch and finish by Junior Hoilett. The Canadian winger latched onto a great pass over the top from Josh Mulligan, taking the ball down on his chest before applying a clever finish with his left foot.
Marvin Ekpiteta had a great chance at the back post, heading the ball back across goal in the direction of Jimenez, but his header was just behind the youngster, preventing him from applying the finish. Ajax's substitute goalkeeper, Reverson, pulled off an excellent save to deny Kieron Bowie. From the resulting corner, Bowie got his deserved goal, prodding the ball home at the back post after Warren O’Hora headed Nicky Cadden’s corner into a dangerous area.
Despite the result, the match provided crucial game time against top-tier opposition as Hibs now look ahead to their competitive season.
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