Ajax's momentum in the Eredivisie race took a knock today as they were
held to a draw by struggling Roda JC.

The Amsterdammers had won their last four games by scoring 16 goals
without reply, but they ended up coming from behind to earn a point in
Kerkrade after surrendering an early lead.

Roda responded to Luis Suarez's penalty with goals from Arnaud Sutchuin
Djum and Boldiszar Bodor, leaving Suarez to steal a point with a 67th
minute equaliser.

A late push to win the game was hurt by the dismissal of Urby Emanuelson
for a bad tackle.

Ajax looked like extending their electric run of domestic form as they
took control of the game in the early stages.

Miralem Sulejmani had already turned Suarez's cross inches wide before
Davy De Fauw's handball gave Ajax a penalty.

Suarez blasted the ball home with some conviction and Roda fans could
have been forgiven for fearing the worst.

But instead they were level only a minute later as Djum met Anouar
Hadouir's cross with a firm right foot to send it into the net.

Bram Castro made a good save to keep out Suarez's long-range effort as
the team's went in at half-time all square.

Roda struck first in the second half as Willem Janssen crossed for Bodor,
who took the time to place his shot in the bottom left-hand corner of the
net.

The ever-lively Suarez responded for Ajax 13 minutes later with a free-
kick from the edge of the area that found the top-right hand corner.

But they had not done enough to hold down Roda yet.

Maarten Stekelenburg made a fine save to deny De Fauw moments before
Emanuelson crashed into Hadouir from behind and received his marching
orders.

From the resulting free-kick Stekelenburg had to make another fine save
to keep out Djum's shot.

Ajax almost had the last word as Suarez saw his long-range effort kept
out by Castro.

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