AFC Ajax Amsterdam played against the mighty Spanish giant Valencia at the Mastella Stadium, Valencia’s home ground.
To be honest, Ajax didn’t expect to survive the onslaught of the giant, much less the expectation of leading the giant by even a goal. That expectation appeared to be somewhat true when the match started at around 1500 EST. I watched the game live on UEFA’s website.
I sat at the edge of my seat while seeing Valencia dominating the game from the first minute to the last. Ajax was nothing but a boy to Valencia but somehow, Ajax, in particular Didulica, the Ajax’s custodian managed to frustrate Valencia each time the ball is shot towards Ajax’s goal.
Nevertheless, Ajax did what Italy did to Holland back in Euro 2000 – a deadly counter-attack by the impressive midfielder Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Quoting UEFA’s match report:
“And as time ran out, with the home side pushed forward, Rafael van der Vaart won the ball in midfield and played a precise ball through for Ibrahimovic, who rounded Ca’izares and shot in.”
Watch the goal that stunt Mastella here.
With that goal, Ajax silenced Mastella and threatened to pollute Valencia clean home record. Yet, Valencia didn’t give up easily and continued to move forward with a race against time. Their effort didn’t go to waste as in the final minute, in the 92nd to be precise, Angulo finally beat the Australian Ajacied and saved Valencia from trouble.
It was a waste to see Ajax lost an opportunity to gain three away points but acquiring a point was Koeman’s original target. It is true that it was lucky for Ajax to gain even a point but it was luckier for Valencia to not to lose the first opening match.
Valencia will look to return a favor in Amsterdam later in the group phase but while in the proud Amsterdam AreaA, Ajax is proven to be a very difficult team to play. Just ask Inter Milan or better, Manchester United.
