AMSTERDAM (Reuters) – Ajax Amsterdam made sure of a place in the Europa League playoffs as they beat Galatasaray 2-1 at home on Thursday and went above the Turkish league leaders in the final group standings.
Ajax finished the group in 12th spot while Galatasaray were 14th, also through to the next phase, but saw their 26-game unbeaten run come to an end.
Bertrand Traore scored in the 23rd minute to put Ajax, who started the last night 16th in the standings, ahead before turning provider for Kian Fitz-Jim 13 minutes into the second half.
Galatasaray, whose last defeat was to Swiss club Young Boys in the preliminary round of the Champions League in August, had chances to preserve their record but only got a late consolation from Victor Osimhen in added time.
Nigerian international Osimhen had been guilty of missing the target with three good chances while substitute Michy Batshauyi squandered a sitter.
Ajax’s opener came after battling play from striker Brian Brobbey, who with his back to goal and after falling to the ground, managed to lay the ball off for Chuba Akpom to fire in a shot that Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Musiera parried to Traore, who neatly tucked away the rebound.
A quick counter-attack led by full back Anton Gaael set up Ajax’s second, with his cross not properly cleared allowing Traore to pass the loose ball for Fitz-Jim to finish.
Ajax’s 41-year-old goalkeeper Remko Pasveer surprisingly wore the captain’s armband instead of usual skipper Jordan Henderson, who started the game, leading Dutch media to speculate the former England international may be leaving the club.
(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Ed Osmond)
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