AMSTERDAM • Praises have flowed for the Ajax academy graduates, who have stayed true to the "total football" philosophy espoused by Johan Cruyff in their rousing run from the qualifiers to the final four of the Champions League.
However, after failing to end a 24-year European Cup drought on Wednesday, the reality dawned on coach Erik ten Hag and his players that his team will now inevitably be broken up in the summer.
The Dutch league leaders were undone 3-2 on the night by a Lucas Moura hat-trick, including his added-time goal that punched Tottenham's ticket to the final on away goals despite the tie ending 3-3.
This season, Ajax have been a butterfly team, here for one glorious summer, but whose wings are already beginning to disintegrate a little in the sunlight.
Yet ten Hag found consolation in their "fantastic" European campaign despite the heartbreaking nature of their semi-final exit.
He said: "Football can be very beautiful and it can be very cruel. We have had to experience that today. We were one second away from the final and for that, our team deserves a very big compliment. I'm very proud of my players."
Despite his pride, he rued the golden opportunity that slipped through their fingers, after goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech gave them a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead.
The Dutchman added: "If you're 2-0 up, you have to make sure you win and we failed to do that. In the first phase after half-time, we lost our grip on the game, they played a more opportunistic game.
"At 2-2, we dominated again and we created chances. It's very bitter that none of those went in and they scored a very fortunate goal in the last seconds, maybe even past what should have been the last second."
De Ligt heads a list of names that will likely be sold, including Ziyech, who hit the post; David Neres, who was injured during the warm-up; and Donny van de Beek, the first-leg match-winner. Frenkie de Jong has already agreed a blockbuster move to Barcelona.
While captain-defender de Ligt, 19, admitted he "did not know how to recover from this" and that it was "a dream that went bad", he told Dutch TV channel Veronica that Ajax were still going to fight for a domestic double.
The Dutch Cup winners lead the Eredivisie on goal difference from PSV Eindhoven with two matches left.
REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria Saturday, June 08, 2019 4:12 p.m. CDT Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - Norway v Nigeria - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 8, 2019 Norway's Guro Reiten
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria | News | i106.7
Soccer Football - Euro 2020 Qualifier - Group J - Italy v Liechtenstein - Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy - March 26, 2019 Italy's Fabio Quagliarella celebrates scoring their fourth goal REUT
Veteran Quagliarella helps Italy thrash Liechtenstein - GulfToday
AFC Cup 2017: South, East, Central and ASEAN Zone preview Altyn Asyr might be the fancied side in this tie but after a listless draw against FC Istiklol in the previous round, they have to get
Filipino Football: February 2017
Singapore striker Ikhsan Fandi signs two-year deal with Norwegian club Raufoss. Home Football Asian Football Ikhsan Fandi: European football is different and Raufoss stint will help me grow.
Football: Singapore striker Ikhsan Fandi signs contract with
Breaking News, Latest News and Current News from FOXNews.com. Breaking news and video. Latest Current News: U.S., World, Entertainment, Health, Business, Technology
Richard Jolly, News & Top Stories - The Straits Times
Teenager arrested after calling Huddersfield ace Philip Billing a 'black donkey' on social media. Philip Billing exposed the sick racist abuse condemn the disgraceful abuse that Philip
Huddersfield condemn racially abusive message sent to
Jorginho fired Chelsea to a 2-1 win at struggling Fulham on Sunday as Blues keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga began to make amends for his Wembley mutiny with an impressive display. Maurizio Sarri's side took the lead through Gonzalo Higuain before Calum Chambers equalised at Craven Cottage.In an incident-packed first half, the
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines - Daily Monitor
Football: Solskjaer maintains perfect start as Man United beat Reading in FA Cup Manchester United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Phil Jones after the match. PHOTO: REUTERS
Solskjaer maintains perfect start as United win FA Cup tie
This experience ranges from a reporting at a local level, to spending time on a national sports desk, as well as being a Tottenham season ticket holder. When I'm not watching Spurs, I like to play sport, write fiction novels, and chill out with some online gaming.
[Unpopular Opinion] Poch still showed his class in the Spurs
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 25, 2019, with the headline ''No issue' with faith in youth'. Print Edition | Subscribe. Topics:
Youth Groups Driving Christian Teens to Abandon Faith
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined almost €19 million ($21.6 million) for tax fraud on Tuesday but will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence. The Juventus forward, who played for Real Madrid from 2009-18, agreed to settle the case by paying an €18.8m fine and accepting a suspended jail sentence.
Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo fined over $20 million for tax
Singapore prepare in Doha desert heat for crucial Asian Cup qualifier in September's 1-1 friendly draw with Hong Kong, a creditable 0-0 draw away to Bahrain in their opening AFC Asian Cup
JDT players miss start of Malaysia camp for Asian Cup qualifier
Wolves reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998, beating United 2-1 Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis by beating last year's runners-up
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's instant impact as Manchester United interim manager continued in his first home game in charge as two goals from Paul Pogba helped his team secure a 3-1 win over Huddersfield.
Pogba strikes twice as Man United win on Solskjaer home bow
Wu Lei makes history for China in La Liga | Free Malaysia Today
0 comments:
Post a Comment