Tolu Arokodare needed only 24 minutes on the pitch to leave his mark on Ajax’s European campaign, scoring late against Atalanta before turning provider to seal a 2-0 victory in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
The Super Eagles forward’s decisive cameo at the Johan Cruijff ArenA also brought a personal landmark, adding another milestone to a season in which he has continued to make an impact in front of goal.
Ajax had struggled to find a breakthrough despite enjoying long spells of possession, with Atalanta keeping the hosts at bay through a goalless first half. The visitors offered a greater attacking threat after the restart, but the contest changed as Ajax made a series of substitutions after the hour mark.
Arokodare entered in the 66th minute, replacing Marcos Leonardo, and eventually broke the deadlock in the 87th minute. He then supplied the assist for Abdellah Ouazane in stoppage time, completing a match-winning contribution that lifted Ajax to three points.
A landmark moment in a decisive cameo
Arokodare’s goal was the 100th of his career, according to the report, and it arrived at a crucial moment for Ajax.
The Nigerian striker latched on to a long pass from Youri Baas, won his duel with defender Relja Obrić and calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi to put the Dutch side ahead three minutes before the end of normal time.
With Atalanta forced to chase the game, Arokodare struck again in a different role. He won possession from another long ball and laid it off to Ouazane, who drove into the penalty area before unleashing a powerful finish to make it 2-0.
The pair of late contributions turned Ajax’s pressure into a result and gave the hosts a response after their 2-1 defeat to Hajduk Split in their opening Conference League fixture.
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The home side had controlled much of the first half and created several opportunities, but Atalanta remained organised and kept the score level at the break.
Ajax continued to dictate possession after the restart, although the visitors became more threatening as the match progressed. The breakthrough eventually came after changes introduced around the hour mark, with Arokodare among the substitutes who helped shift the contest.
His latest performance takes his season tally to eight goals and three assists in 13 appearances, according to the supplied report.
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The victory moved Ajax to 13th in the Conference League standings on three points, while Atalanta fell to 15th after the defeat.
Arokodare will hope to carry his form into Ajax’s next domestic fixture against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday. Atalanta, meanwhile, are scheduled to return to action against Frosinone on the same day.
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