Ajax fans call for Owen Wijndal’s Oranje return after Midtjylland display

Owen Wijndal’s influential performance in Ajax’s 6-1 Conference League win away to FC Midtjylland prompted the travelling supporters to call for his return to the Netherlands squad. The away end chanted “Wijndal in Oranje” as Ajax took control of Thursday’s match in Denmark.

The left-back scored Ajax’s third goal, finishing at the near post after Youri Baas’ pass and a flick from Tolu Arokodare. Wijndal then supplied a driven cross for Davy Klaassen to head in the visitors’ fourth before being replaced by Daley Blind after 69 minutes.

Ajax had initially faced a difficult contest. Arokodare’s early header was cancelled out by Friday Etim, but the match swung shortly before half-time when Midtjylland midfielder Kjell Wätjen received a second yellow card for a foul on Abdellah Ouazane. Arokodare restored Ajax’s lead after the interval, with Wijndal, Klaassen, Oscar Gloukh and substitute Marcos Leonardo adding further goals against the 10 men.

Wijndal’s display continued a notable turnaround at Ajax after a proposed move to Sint-Truiden fell through late in the summer window. He has since reclaimed a regular place under Míchel Sánchez, but was not included in the active Netherlands squad for November’s Nations League fixtures. The defender remains on 11 senior caps, all earned in 2020 and 2021, and has not played for Oranje since 2022.