Nov 15, 2023 at 10:55 PM Update: 4 hours ago
Ajax Women performed impressively on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. Suzanne Bakker’s team takes the lead in group C with the victory in the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Ajax started the first Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain uneasy, which had to make do without the injured Lieke Martens. Last year’s quarter-finalist had the initiative, but did not translate this into opportunities.
Under the watchful eye of around fourteen thousand supporters, the Amsterdam team showed more and more courage and took the lead in the 34th minute through a goal by Tiny Hoekstra. The 27-year-old attacker tapped in sharply after a shot that changed direction.
Just before half time, the party in the ArenA became even bigger. Ashleigh Weerden was tackled in the penalty area, after which the ball hit the spot. Sherida Spitse shot in coolly – as she regularly does with the Dutch team.
Ajax got away well a few times in the second half. First, Ajax keeper Regina van Eijk had difficulty clearing Korbin Albert’s effort off the line, and moments later substitute Amalie Vangsgaard headed just wide. Ajax held up well and took the first three points in the Champions League.
The victory puts Ajax in the lead in group C. Earlier in the evening, Bayern Munich lost a 2-0 lead against AS Roma. The German national champion had to settle for a point. Next week Ajax will take on AS Roma. The competition top match against FC Twente awaits next weekend.
Standings group C
Ajax 1-3 (+2) AS Roma 1-1 (0) Bayern Munich 1-1 (0) Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 (-2) PSG player Jackie Groenen played in the ArenA for the first time, but could not cannot avoid defeat. Photo: Pro Shots
Ajax debut in Champions League
Ajax reached the main tournament of the Champions League for the first time in the current format. Since the 2021/2022 season, there has been a group stage with sixteen teams, followed by a knockout stage. Previously, Ajax did not get further than the qualifying rounds.
Ajax’s home games in the Champions League are all played in the Johan Cruijff ArenA. Ajax played once before in the largest stadium in the Netherlands. That was De Klassieker last year against Feyenoord. In front of a record number of fans (more than 33,000), the match ended with a 1-1 draw.
2023-11-15 21:55:33
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