Ajax stun Barcelona to stay in contention
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E-mail Xinhua, November 27, 2013
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Goals from Thulani Serero and Danny Hoesen earned Ajax a vital Group H win which kept them within a point of second place. |
Despite playing with ten men for most of the second half Ajax beat FC Barcelona 2- 1 on Tuesday to maintain a chance of continuation in the Champions League.
The home-team did not face the strongest possible Barcelona side, already certain of qualifying for the last 16, with Lionel Messi, Adriano Correia, Victor Valdes, Cristian Tello, Dani Alves and Jordi Alba absent due to injuries and Alexis Sanchez suspended. However, with the likes of Xavi, Pique and Neymar the Blaugranas had plenty of quality left.
Before the match Ajax coach Frank de Boer said he was not afraid to attack Barcelona and his team kept that promise. Ajax dominated like Barcelona used to do in the first half and was able to score goals as well.
After a cross by right back Ricardo van Rhijn South African midfielder Thulani Serero found the net in the 19th minute. Both teams had some chances afterwards, but Barcelona seemed irritated by not being able to maintain ball possession.
After Gerard Pique held Nicolai Boilesen, the Spaniard received a yellow card and Cesc Fabregas was also booked for throwing the ball away after Ajax was about to take a free-kick. Boilesen limped off after the challenge by Pique and was replaced by Christian Poulsen.
Four minutes from half-time striker Danny Hoesen, who replaced injured first-choice central forwards Siem de Jong and Kolbeinn Sigthorsson, doubled the score for Ajax. After goalkeeper Jos Manuel Pinto stopped a shot by Viktor Fischer Hoesen was most alert in the rebound.
Ajax started the second half in dramatic fashion. A back pass by Van Rhijn was intercepted by Neymar and Ajax defender Joel Veltman brought down the Brazilian in the penalty area. The hard consequence: red card for Veltman, penalty for FC Barcelona. Xavi converted the penalty in the 49th minute.
With eleven against ten the second half was obviously for Barcelona, but the home-team was able to hold on to the lead, with the visitors creating little big opportunities. Five minutes from time Barcelona claimed another penalty after Niklas Moisander slightly held Pedro, but this time referee Pavel Kralovec did not whistle.
Ajax grabbed its second victory in Group H and stayed in contention for the next phase of the Champions League. Barcelona, which lost for the first time this season under coach Gerardo Martino, now are on 10 points from five matches, Milan, which beat 3-0 in Glasgow, are second with 8 points and Ajax are third with 7 points and already sure of continuation in the Europa League. Celtic are eliminated.
In the final match round on December 11 Ajax will play away against AC Milan, while Barcelona host Celtic.
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