Ajax's Oscar Gloukh Scores Hat-Trick After Tactical Halftime Shift

Oscar Gloukh, the Israeli rising star at Ajax, scored a hat-trick within 18 minutes during his team's 4-1 victory over Vojvodina on Thursday. This win secured Ajax's 8-2 aggregate triumph, advancing them to the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. The Dutch media focused on the halftime tactical adjustment that enabled Gloukh's success, emphasizing that playing him closer to the striker improved his performance. Ajax coach Mitchell acknowledged that Gloukh's first half was underwhelming but praised his second-half display after a halftime talk. The strategy involved Gloukh staying near the forward, moving from the right wing inward alongside striker Mika Chudets, while teammate Steven Berghuis shifted wide to draw defenders away. The coach stressed the need for consistent performances from the entire squad, not just Gloukh, Chudets, or Jordi Miquel. Four of Gloukh's five shots, including all three goals, came in the second half, highlighting the effectiveness of the tactical change.