Excelsior hold Ajax to 2-2 in resilient Eredivisie clash

Excelsior secured a 2-2 draw against Ajax on 10 October 2026, a result that left coach Ruben den Uil both stunned and effusive in his post-match assessment. He described the outcome as improbable given the gulf in individual quality between the two sides.

What Den Uil said about Arokodare’s impact

Den Uil singled out Nigerian striker Tolu Arokodare, who scored the equaliser shortly after entering the match. “Tolu, that is almost fraud for the competition. He is so incredibly strong and so tall. A cheat code, that’s not normal,” Den Uil said, laughing. “Even if you get a ten on your report for your marking, this man still rises above you and can nod the ball in.”

How Excelsior approached the match

The Rotterdam club spent much of the game defending deeply, according to Den Uil, who acknowledged Ajax’s superior depth and options. He credited his players’ extreme effort and resilience for grinding out the point, calling it “an incredibly fine performance from us” — one that also required “the luck that a ball does not go in.”

Ajax’s transformation over the past year

Den Uil noted Ajax’s marked evolution since the previous season. “They have a few incredibly good players. Even for the Eredivisie, that is unprecedented,” he said. “The Amsterdam side are totally different from a year ago and have an exceptional amount of quality.”

Despite conceding Ajax’s superiority in personnel and tactical flexibility, Den Uil stressed the significance of the result for Excelsior — a hard-fought, physically demanding draw against one of the league’s most resourced teams.