Oscar Gloukh delivered another outstanding performance as Ajax defeated FK Vojvodina 4–1 in the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. Read the full match report, tactical analysis, player ratings, and how Ajax took a major step toward the next round.
Oscar Gloukh Leads Ajax's European Charge with Another Masterclass
European nights have often been the stage where Ajax's brightest talents announce themselves, and on a warm evening in Novi Sad, Oscar Gloukh reminded everyone why he is becoming one of the club's most influential players.
Ajax opened their 2026–27 European campaign with an emphatic 4–1 victory over FK Vojvodina in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League second qualifying round. While the scoreline reflected Ajax's superiority, the performance itself told an even bigger story: this is a team beginning to embrace the attacking philosophy of new head coach Mรญchel Sรกnchez.
Match Overview
Competition: UEFA Conference League 2026–27 – Second Qualifying Round (First Leg)
Venue: Karaฤorฤe Stadium, Novi Sad, Serbia
Date: 23 July 2026
Final Score: FK Vojvodina 1–4 Ajax
Fast Start, Calm Response
Ajax wasted little time imposing themselves.
Only three minutes had passed when Davy Klaassen arrived inside the box to give the Dutch side an early lead, immediately silencing the home crowd. The visitors controlled possession confidently and looked dangerous every time they attacked.
Vojvodina gradually settled into the match and found an equalizer through Petar Sukaฤev in the 28th minute, rewarding a brief spell of pressure and reminding Ajax that the tie was far from over.
Instead of losing momentum, Ajax responded like an experienced European side. Just before halftime, Steven Berghuis restored the visitors' advantage, allowing Ajax to head into the break with a deserved 2–1 lead.
Gloukh Delivers the Defining Moment
The second half belonged to Oscar Gloukh.
Already one of Ajax's most creative players, the Israeli midfielder produced another decisive contribution by scoring the team's third goal in the 52nd minute after a well-worked attacking move.
His goal completely shifted the momentum of the match.
From that moment onward, Ajax controlled possession with confidence, moved the ball quickly between the lines, and prevented Vojvodina from mounting any serious comeback.
Deep into stoppage time, teenage substitute Mohamed Abdalla added the fourth goal on his official Ajax debut, putting the finishing touch on a dominant European performance and giving the Dutch giants a commanding advantage ahead of the return leg in Amsterdam. Abdalla also became the youngest player ever to score for a Dutch club in European competition.
๐ Match Statistics
| Statistic | Ajax | FK Vojvodina |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 4 | 1 |
| Half-time | 2 | 1 |
| Competition | UEFA Conference League | UEFA Conference League |
| Aggregate Position | Strong advantage | Must overturn deficit |
Tactical Analysis
Ajax's performance reflected the early influence of Mรญchel Sรกnchez.
The Dutch side pressed aggressively after losing possession, circulated the ball with patience, and attacked through quick combinations rather than individual moments.
Oscar Gloukh operated between midfield and attack, constantly finding space behind Vojvodina's defensive line. His intelligent movement linked the midfield with the forwards, while Berghuis and Klaassen provided experience and composure in key moments.
Defensively, Ajax remained organized after conceding the equalizer, responding with maturity instead of panic—a positive sign for a team beginning a new era under its new coach.
⭐ Top Performers
๐ฅ Oscar Gloukh – 9.6/10
The creative heartbeat of Ajax. Scored an important goal, dictated the tempo, and constantly troubled the Serbian defense.
๐ฅ Steven Berghuis – 9.1/10
Restored Ajax's lead before halftime and provided leadership throughout the match.
๐ฅ Davy Klaassen – 8.9/10
Opened the scoring after only three minutes and set the tone for Ajax's confident display.
๐ Mohamed Abdalla – 8.8/10
A dream debut. Came off the bench to score and made history as the youngest Dutch-club goalscorer in European competition.
What This Victory Means
Ajax now travel back to Amsterdam with a comfortable 4–1 advantage, placing themselves in an excellent position to qualify for the next round of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
Beyond the result, the performance offered supporters real optimism. The attacking structure already appears more fluid under Mรญchel Sรกnchez, while players such as Oscar Gloukh continue to develop into genuine match winners.
If Ajax maintain this level of intensity and creativity, they will not only be favorites to eliminate Vojvodina but could also emerge as one of the strongest contenders throughout the qualifying campaign.
Ajax could hardly have wished for a better start to their European season.
A convincing 4–1 victory, confident attacking football, and another outstanding display from Oscar Gloukh provided the perfect foundation for the weeks ahead.
While the return leg still awaits, Ajax have already taken a significant step toward the next qualifying round—and if Gloukh continues performing at this level, European defenders are likely to face many more difficult nights this season.
Official Sources:
- UEFA Match Centre: https://www.uefa.com/uefaconferenceleague/
- Ajax Official Match Report: https://www.ajax.nl/
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