We concluded our pre-season training camp with a behind-closed-doors fixture with Ajax at De Toekomst (Ajax Training Centre) in Amsterdam.
The hosts ran out 6-3 winners on the day, in what was a challenging test in the Dutch capital.
Both sides used the match as a good opportunity to get minutes into the legs of as many players as possible with both teams changing their starting XI for each 45.
First Half Starting XI: Smith, C. Cadden, Megwa, Bushiri, Iredale, Obita, Levitt, Campbell, McGrath, Youan, Boyle
We started the game with a good urgency about our play and created an early opportunity inside the first couple of minutes. Josh Campbell did well in the middle of the pitch to switch the play out to Jordan Obita who found Elie Youan down the left-hand side.
The Frenchman took it past one defender with ease before firing a low ball across the box, which only needed a touch from a green jersey.
The hosts hit the bar minutes later, when Brian Brobbey’s header came back off the woodwork and cleared away to safety.
Ajax took the lead on eight minutes through Steven Berghuis, with an inch-perfect side-footed shot from outside the area finding the top corner.
Berghuis doubled their lead minutes later, this time with a first-time finish from inside the box after a low ball in from the touchline.
The Hibees responded well and pulled one back on the 15-minute mark.
Jordan Obita played a huge part in the goal, running from inside his own half down the left-hand touchline before whipping in an inviting cross – which Martin Boyle was on hand to provide the final touch after what looked like a deflection or two.
The hosts were clinical in front of goal and restored their two-goal cushion when Mika Godts curled home from the edge of the area after 20 minutes.
Ajax were pressing in numbers and we found it hard to break the press and get out of our own half as the first half developed.
Jordan Smith pulled off a good save to deny Mika Godts, sticking out an important leg to block his shot. Godts made no mistake a minute later, however, finding the corner again from outside the box.
Ajax midfielder, Cian Fitz-Jim added a fifth with a first-time finish as the Dutch side continued to show their ruthless streak.
Rocky threw his body in front of a couple of shots as the first half drew to a close.
Half-time: Ajax 5 Hibs 1
As planned, Gray made a number of changes with a new starting XI coming out for the second half.
Second Half Starting XI: Sallinger, Miller, O’Hora, Ekpiteta, Obita, Nicky Cadden, Mulligan, Campbell, Manneh, McGrath, Bowie.
Despite starting the second half positively we were pegged back when Ahmetcan Kaplan headed home a set-piece on 54 minutes. That didn't deter us though and we began to carve out plenty of chances in the second period.
Lewis Miller had an opportunity to pull one back from a set-piece of our own moments later, however, his powerful header flew agonisingly wide of the far post.
Logan Jimenez, Joseph McGrath and Junior Hoilett were introduced to the action on the hour mark, with Jamie McGrath, Josh Campbell and Jordan Obita all making way.
Kieron Bowie had a sight of goal after he won the ball back high up the pitch, but the angle was always against him and his shot flew wide of the target.
The Hibs striker was getting himself into good positions though and latched onto a good pass from Josh Mulligan. The Hibees number nine was one-on-one with the ‘keeper but his shot was fired just wide of the front post.
There was goalmouth action in both halves in the second half and Sallinger pulled off a smart stop with his legs to deny Faberski.
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 to reduce the deficit further, he headed the ball back across goal in the direction of Logan Jiminez – but his header was just behind the youngster and he couldn’t apply the finish.
Ajax then hit the woodwork twice in quick succession – the first a brilliant save from Sallinger to tip Faberski’s curling shot onto the bar, before Ekpiteta saw his clearance rebound back off his own post and away to safety.
Ajax substitute goalkeeper, Reverson pulled off an excellent save to deny Kieron Bowie – blocking a shot with his feet to divert the ball out for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, 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.
That was the final action of note, and despite a spirited second-half performance, we concluded our pre-season training camp with defeat in Amsterdam.
