Hibs pre-season training camp concluded with 6-3 defeat to Ajax in a behind-closed-doors fixture at the De Toekomst (Ajax Training Centre) in Amsterdam this afternoon.
Head coach David Gray made a number of changes to the starting XI that were held to a goalless draw against MSV Duisburg and went with the following team: Smith, C. Cadden, Megwa, Bushiri, Iredale, Obita, Levitt, Campbell, McGrath, Youan, Boyle
Steven Berghuis opened the scoring for the hosts in the eighth minute with a superb strike from outside the area.
Moments later Berghuis doubled Ajax with a first-time finish from inside the box.
Hibs pulled one back in the 15th minute when Martin Boyle finished a superb cross from Jordan Obita.
Five minutes later Ajax restored their two-goal advantage when Mika Godts curled home from the edge of the area.
Ajax midfielder, Cian Fitz-Jim added a fifth with a first-time finish before the break.
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.
Ahmetcan Kaplan nodded in Ajax’s sixth goal with a free header from a corner early in the second half as both sides made a raft of changes.
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.
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.
Junior Hoilett then 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.
Ajax then hit the woodwork twice in quick succession – the first a brilliant save from Raphael 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 a deserved goal – prodding the ball home at the back post after Warren O’Hora headed Nicky Cadden’s corner into a dangerous area.
Hibs are back in action on Wednesday night when German side Rot Weiss Essen visit Easter Road.
