Why Arokodare earned 7.4 rating in Ajax defeat to PSV

Tolu Arokodare of AFC Ajax. Copyright: ImagoxVIxANPxSportx/xMauricexvanxSteenxIVx

Super Eagles forward Tolu Arokodare continued his impressive individual form despite Ajax Amsterdam’s 3-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old has been in superb form since completing a season-long loan move to the Dutch giants during the summer transfer window from English club Wolverhampton Wanderers, as he looks to revive his career.

That impressive form continued against PSV, although Ajax suffered their first Eredivisie defeat of the season. PSV took the lead at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam in the fifth minute after Ricardo Pepi finished off a move involving Van Bommel.

Arokodare equalised moments later for Ajax, showing real strength and composure to score for his side. However, further goals in stoppage time of both halves from Lutsharel Geertruida and Esmir Bajraktarevic sealed a 3-1 victory for PSV and sent them top of the Eredivisie standings after five rounds of matches.

Soccer Ajax vs PSV: How the game happened

Both sides entered the match as title contenders and with unbeaten starts to the season, hoping to set an early pace in the Eredivisie title race.

PSV struck the first blow when United States international Pepi scored following good build-up play involving Ivan Perisic and Van Bommel. The visitors had several other opportunities to extend their advantage but failed to take them, and they were made to pay for those missed chances when Ajax found an equaliser.

Arokodare showed his strength to hold off his marker before quickly lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to score his second Eredivisie goal of the season.

However, Geertruida restored PSV’s lead just before half-time with a superb effort that left Marc-André ter Stegen rooted to the spot.

Both teams continued to attack in the second half in search of the next important goal, but PSV eventually found another in stoppage time through Bajraktarevic to seal a 3-1 victory.

The defeat saw Ajax drop to fifth place with seven points, leaving them five points behind PSV at the top after five games.

Soccer Arokodare earns 7.4 rating despite Ajax defeat

The Super Eagles striker continued his impressive return to form, making it four consecutive games in which he has found the back of the net.

Arokodare was handed another starting berth, and his goal was one of the bright moments for Ajax on an otherwise disappointing day.

The Nigerian forward showed exactly why he can be a difficult striker to play against, using his physical strength to win the duel before showing the instinct and composure to quickly lift the ball over the goalkeeper.

The 25-year-old registered 38 touches during his time on the pitch, completed 100 per cent of his dribbles and won four duels before he was substituted around the half-hour mark.

His impressive individual display earned him a rating of 7.4 from FotMob, despite Ajax suffering a 3-1 defeat.

Arokodare will now hope that his return to form can help him earn a recall to the Super Eagles squad ahead of Nigeria’s crucial AFCON 2027 qualifiers later this month against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Ajax will return to action next weekend when they face Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie, with the Nigerian forward hoping to continue his impressive goalscoring form and help his side bounce back from the PSV defeat.

Ayomide Oguntimehin

Ayomide Oguntimehin is a CAF-accredited sports journalist and Chief Editor at Soccernet.ng. He has interviewed Super Eagles stars like William Troost-Ekong, Taiwo Awoniyi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, and Ademola Lookman, and is known for breaking major transfer stories.

Ayomide has worked with Sports Brief, Naija News and served as Social Lead Editor at Legit.ng. He has also featured on Goal, TVC News, Sports Mole, and Milan News24. He holds a Master’s degree and is currently pursuing a PhD. Follow Ayomide on X (formerly Twitter): @ayo_oguntimehin