Ajax Fall in Split, Maarten Paes Again a Loyal Spectator
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- Ajax menelan kekalahan 1-2 dari Hajduk Split pada laga pembuka League Phase Conference League, sementara Maarten Paes tak kunjung mendapat menit bermain.
- Kiper Timnas Indonesia itu masih kalah bersaing dengan Marc-Andre ter Stegen yang tampil 10 kali, meski statistik kebobolan Paes lebih efisien.
- Keputusan pelatih Michel Sanchez memicu gelombang protes suporter di media sosial, sementara Ajax bersiap menghadapi Groningen di Eredivisie.
Ajax Amsterdam began their 2026/2027 Conference League League Phase campaign with a bitter result. Traveling to Stadion Poljud in the early hours of Friday (16/10/2026) WIB, De Godenzonen fell 1-2 to Hajduk Split. The defeat not only left Ajax 25th in the provisional standings with zero points, but also reinforced Maarten Paes's status as the second choice between the posts.
Coach Michel Sanchez again entrusted the goalkeeper position to Marc-Andre ter Stegen. The decision was made even though the former Barcelona goalkeeper conceded two goals in the match. The hosts took the lead through Abdoulie Sanyang in the 37th minute. Ajax briefly equalized through Davy Klaassen in the 53rd minute, but Marin Soticek scored three minutes later to seal Hajduk Split's victory.
For Paes, the match in Split marked the fifth time he sat on the bench in European competition this season. The 28-year-old goalkeeper has made just five appearances out of Ajax's 15 matches in all competitions, with four in Conference League qualifying and one in the Eredivisie. Ter Stegen, meanwhile, has guarded the goal in 10 matches, including seven domestic league games.
Statistically, the comparison between Paes and Ter Stegen has drawn attention. Although Ter Stegen has recorded two clean sheets, his goals-conceded ratio per match is higher than Paes's. The Indonesia national team goalkeeper has conceded only six goals in five matches, or an average of 1.2 goals per game, while Ter Stegen averages 1.6 goals per match. However, Sanchez appears to prioritize Ter Stegen's experience and reputation at the European elite level.
"A big name should not be a guarantee of remaining the first choice. Just look at Paes's better goals-conceded record," wrote a netizen in the comment section of Ajax's social media account, as quoted from Bola.com.
Sanchez's decision sparked a strong reaction from supporters. On the match result post, a number of fans demanded that Paes be given a chance to guard the goal. They considered Ter Stegen's performances inconsistent and potentially harmful to the team. Others questioned why the coach stuck with the same choice even as Ajax suffered another defeat.
From the perspective of the Indonesia national team, the situation is a concern in itself. Paes has been the main goalkeeper of the Garuda squad in recent years. The lack of playing minutes at club level is feared to affect the sharpness of his instincts ahead of international fixtures. However, national team coach Shin Tae-yong previously stressed that Ajax's internal competition remains the main benchmark for maintaining Paes's performance.
Ajax must now quickly shift focus to the Eredivisie. They will travel to Groningen's home at Stadion Euroborg in the ninth round on Sunday (18/10/2026) evening WIB. De Godenzonen currently sit fifth with 15 points from eight matches. Although unbeaten in their last four games, Ajax have managed only draws in two consecutive matches.
The match against Groningen is the next opportunity for Paes to regain playing minutes. However, the final decision remains in Michel Sanchez's hands. If this trend continues, it is not impossible that speculation about Paes's future in Amsterdam will heat up further, especially with the winter transfer window approaching.
The question is, will Sanchez give Paes a chance before public pressure and the needs of the Indonesia national team force a change? Or will Ter Stegen remain the first choice until the competition enters its crucial phase?
