Israeli Forward Oscar Gloukh Scores Hat-Trick for Ajax After Coach's Midgame Criticism

Israeli footballer Oscar Gloukh delivered a memorable performance on Thursday evening, scoring a hat-trick for Ajax in their second qualifying round match of the UEFA Conference League against Serbian club Vojvodina. The three goals came between the 53rd and 71st minutes, marking only the second hat-trick of Gloukh's professional career; his first was during the 2024/2025 Austrian Bundesliga season with Red Bull Salzburg.

However, the match did not start smoothly for Gloukh. During the first half, Ajax coach Mitchell expressed visible frustration and shouted at the Israeli player after a careless ball loss. Dutch journalist Sam van Ruijn reported that Mitchell yelled, "Keep possession in the second half!" demanding greater caution from Gloukh. Another analyst, Jan van Halst, explained that while losing the ball near the penalty area can happen when trying to create chances, the team must immediately press the opponent, a principle Mitchell is still instilling in his players.

Despite the early criticism, Gloukh responded emphatically in the second half, silencing doubts with his outstanding three-goal display. This performance highlights his growing impact at Ajax and his ability to overcome pressure during high-stakes European matches.