In the opening match of season 2008/09 Ajax Amsterdam unexpectedly lost to Willem II 2:1 in an away match. Sulejmani's goal from 23rd minute gave Ajax the lead and it looked like Amsterdam would gather an easy win. However, the host were able to put the ball into the net twice in the second half (Demouge and Akgün) and thus secured a 2:1 win.

Coach Marco van Basten was really upset with the false start: "There is much work to be done. I am disappointed, that should be obvious. We have ourselves to blame for this loss; we didn't perform well. Let's now focus on our next match, in two weeks at home against Roda JC", he said to the official website.

Willem II - Ajax 2:1
Goals:
0:1 Sulejmani 23'
1:1 Demouge 47'
2:1 Akgün 65'

Ajax: Stekelenburg; Silva, Oleguer, Vermaelen, Vertonghen; Sno, Lindgren, Emanuelson; Suarez, Huntelaar, Sulejmani.
Substitutions: Gentenaar, Aissati, Van der Wiel, Rommedahl, Cvitanich, De Jong, Sarpong.