Reading opened their Premier League International Cup campaign with a statement 2-1 victory over Ajax at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
With a goal in each half, the Royals Academy continued to fly the flag for the club in spite of a rocky off-field situation at the club after Rob Couhig's takeover collapsed last week.
Hundreds of supporters turned out to watch Noel Hunt's Under-21s against the former European Cup champions, including many first-team stars and boss Ruben Selles.
Taking the lead in an impressive first-half display, Tyler Sackey finished coolly and capped off a powerful display in the centre of the pitch.
Somewhat against the run of play, Don-Angelo Konadu levelled for the visitors before the break by turning in a low cross from the left.
Ajax improved after the break and Coniah Boyce-Clarke made some good saves to keep the score level.
Somewhat fortuitously, Aaron Bouwman headed Adrian Akande's cross into his own net to put the Royals ahead.
Monaco, Valencia and Dinamo Zagreb are still to come in the rest of the group, with Reading hoping to emulate the Class of '19 who reached the semi-final.
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