Fighting without reward; Ajax grabs victory in Zagreb

Champions league, group D, 3. round

18. 10. 2011., 20:45

Stadium: Maksimir, Zagreb

Spectators: 25.600

Referees: Manuel Grafe, Markus Hacker, Guido Kleve, Babak Rafati, Peter Sippel (all Germany)

Dinamo:  Kelava - Vida, Tonel, Šimunić, Ibanez - Calello (80. Tomečak), Leko, Badelj (46. Kovačić), Sammir - Beqiraj (69. Pokrivač), Rukavina

Ajax:  Vermeer - Van der Wiel, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Anita - Enoh, Janssen, Eriksen (od 90. Lodeiro), Boerrigter (69. Bulykin) - Sulejmani, De Jong

Goals:0:1 Boerrigter (49.), 0:2 Eriksen (90.)

Yellow cards: Vida (14.), Calello (27.), Ibanez (45.), Sammir (60.), Šimunić (76.), Tomečak (85.) / Boerrigter (45.)

Dinamo and Ajax, teams that haven't scored a goal in the first two matchdays, played a very interesting match in Maksimir. Even though both teams had their chances, Ajax was a better side and thanks to second-half goals secured a deserved victory nad first three points.

Both coaches, Krunoslav Jurčić and Frank de Boer, described this match as a must-win one so there was no surprise when both teams started to play attacking football. Beqiraj earned himself a great chance but Vermeer was at the right place just like he made a nice save couple of minutes later when Leko tried to score. On the other side, Verthonghen fired a fierce free-kick which Kelava could only parry but luckily De Jong didn't react well on the rebound.

Ajax had more possession and controlled the game but Dinamo played defense all over the pitch and with pressure made Ajax defenders make mistakes. One of them came in the 36th minute when Rukavina did everything great expect - the finish. He stole the ball, passed Alderweireld and Vertonghen but then placed a shot over the goal. Till the end of the first half Ajax hade couple of chances but neither Boerrigter nor Sulejmani managed to score.

Unfortunately, they did very soon in the second half. Serbian international Sulejmani made a nice run through Dinamo defense and found Boerrigter on the edge of the area who scored his first UEFA Champions league goal. After the lead Ajax fully took control over the ball and Dinamo didn't really have clear chances for the equaliser.

Jurčić tried with several substitutes but Ajax played a very dominant last 30 minutes. In fact, the guest had couple of chances before they eventually doubled their lead in additional time. Dinamo had a nice chance 12 minutes from time but when Vermeer stopped Calello's shot it was clear that the points will go to Amsterdam. In the first minute of additional time, Eriksen rounded off a nice individual move to make it 0:2.

Dinamo played a good game and tried to secure first point(s) but UEFA Champions league is a competition where you have to convert chances into goals. Modri had several chances in the first 45 minutes, didn't manage to take the lead and when Ajax eventually did - it was game over in Maksimir.