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
Football News - England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the English Premier League title race and
Playing hard to get is based on understanding of human nature. It is not about your colleagues, family or person you are interested in, it is about what YOU are doing. And this is the good news because you can change what you are doing and get different results.
15 Subtle Signs a Girl is Playing Hard to Get | Best Life
Reds back in the big league, says Klopp - straitstimes.com
Football: Noh Rahman embracing learning curve as Home United interim coach straitstimes.com - MUHAMMAD SAZALI ABDUL AZIZ Yeo Jia Min stretches world No. 4 Yamaguchi to rubber set
St. Louis Blues face criticism for including Enterprise flag
Football: Jurgen Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback, says Jose Mourinho. Liverpool's German manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates winning the UEFA Champions league semi-final football
Jurgen Klopp mentality behind Liverpool's historic comeback
Rescuers ended their search on Thursday for the plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala, which disappeared over the English Channel three days ago, after saying there was little
Football: British rescuers end search for missing plane
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City. Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City. They played fantastic football and we made a lot of mistakes. We wanted to
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City
Football: Man City look like world's best side but Liverpool will fight till the end, Klopp stresses The prospect of Liverpool themselves completing a Premier League and Champions League double
Football: Man City look like world's best side but Liverpool
The Young Lions, together with players from the Home United Football Club will be here at the Home of the LIONS to engage fans and inspire the younger generations as they share their journey to becoming professional football players. Fans can also look forward to two Singapore Premier League matches to be held at the National
JBSA Randolph Youth Programs - govserv.org
Europa League: Chelsea too strong for Kiev, Arsenal slump at Rennes Chelsea were by far the better side at Stamford Bridge - they had eight shots on target to Kiev's none - but it was not
Arsenal to face Rennes in Europa League last 16 | London
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
By starting both Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane against Premier League champions Chelsea, you can tell Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has a lot of confidence in the young pair. They rewarded their manager with yet another fine performance as City walked away from Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 win and in truth they bossed the encounter.
Sterling by Music Man Ray35 StingRay Electric Bass - zZounds
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment Neymar will travel to Qatar to undergo a "complete assessment" six weeks into his recovery from a fractured right foot, Paris Saint-Germain said on
PSG star Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment - Sportstar
0 comments:
Post a Comment