|
|
Played
February 16, 2012 7:00 PM WAT
Amsterdam ArenA — Amsterdam
Referee: G. Rocchi
Attendance: 48966
February 16, 2012 7:00 PM WAT
Amsterdam ArenA — Amsterdam
Referee: G. Rocchi
Attendance: 48966
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Ajax | 61.00 | 4.33 | 4.00 | 50.00 | 4.10 |
| Draw | 6.50 | 3.50 | 3.50 | 8.00 | 3.55 |
| Manchester United | 1.12 | 1.83 | 1.91 | 1.06 | 1.90 |
Top of the Match
To Be Announced Shortly
David de Gea
Manchester United
Manchester United
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Ajax 0-2 Man Utd: Young and Hernandez put Red Devils in driving seat to progress
Second half goals from the forwards leave Amsterdam side with mountain to climb ahead of second leg
By Renger Dotinga
PROSHOTS
Manchester United defeated Ajax 2-0 on Thursday night courtesy of strikes from Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez, to put themselves in a strong position to progress to the next round of the Europa League.
The match was one of two halves, with the home side dominating proceedings in the first 45 minutes while the Red Devils took the initiative in the second half.
Ajax was the brighter of the two teams in the opening 20 minutes, with the home side enjoying the larger share of possession. The reigning Dutch champions failed to create any clear cut chances however, with a weak shot from full-back Dico Koppers all they had to show for their controlled play.
United’s impressive attacking unit failed live up to their reputation with Hernandez caught in the offside trap on more than one occasion and Nani unable to conjure any form of danger from the right wing.
Ajax’s best attempt came in the form of a cracking effort by midfielder Siem de Jong. The Dutchman picked up the ball outside the box and released a curved right-footed effort, which David de Gea did well to palm away.
The resultant corner burdened United with more pressure, with David de Gea nervously knocking out the balls that ventured near his goalline. Christian Eriksen fired an attempt from range straight at de Gea a few minutes later, as United got little grip on the game before the half-time whistle.
The Red Devils started the second half with visibly more dynamism, surging forward in numbers and Nani looking slightly more threatening. Rooney sliced a crisp pass through to Hernandez in the 50th minute, but the Mexican was not to be beaten by Vermeer, who charged out of his goal to deny the striker. The English champions won corner after corner, but failed to find a breakthrough. The United barrage unsettled the Amsterdam side, with Siem de Jong entering the referee’s book after a rash tackle.
Manchester United did find the breakthrough in the 59th minute, after the Ajax defence failed to deal with a dangerous ball into the box. The ball eventually fell to Ashley Young, who created space for himself inside the box and firing home through the legs of Vermeer. Nani had a chance to double his sides lead just minutes later, but the Portuguese’s shot from close range flew harmlessly over.
End to end attacking play followed, with Ajax looking to level the score from range while United now looked the crisper side of the two. Shots from Alderweireld and Eriksen did not trouble de Gea, but a great surge forward from the latter on an Ajax counter ended with a shot the Spanish stopper will have been happy to see fly straight at him. It was Manchester United who found another breakthrough, however, as substitute Antonio Valencia found space for Wayne Rooney to surge into. The Englishman linked up neatly with Javier Hernandez, who somewhat fortunately slotted the ball past Vermeer. The Dutch goalkeeper got a solid touch on the ball with his body, but the deflection could not parry the shot off target.
The result leaves Manchester United in the driving seat to progress, while Ajax will have to produce a remarkable comeback to reach the last 16. Only the Amsterdam outfit will return to domestic duty before the second leg of the tie, with the reigning Dutch champions welcoming NEC to the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday. Manchester United do not travel to Norwich until February 26th, three days after the return fixture at Old Trafford.
The match was one of two halves, with the home side dominating proceedings in the first 45 minutes while the Red Devils took the initiative in the second half.
Ajax was the brighter of the two teams in the opening 20 minutes, with the home side enjoying the larger share of possession. The reigning Dutch champions failed to create any clear cut chances however, with a weak shot from full-back Dico Koppers all they had to show for their controlled play.
United’s impressive attacking unit failed live up to their reputation with Hernandez caught in the offside trap on more than one occasion and Nani unable to conjure any form of danger from the right wing.
Ajax’s best attempt came in the form of a cracking effort by midfielder Siem de Jong. The Dutchman picked up the ball outside the box and released a curved right-footed effort, which David de Gea did well to palm away.
The resultant corner burdened United with more pressure, with David de Gea nervously knocking out the balls that ventured near his goalline. Christian Eriksen fired an attempt from range straight at de Gea a few minutes later, as United got little grip on the game before the half-time whistle.
The Red Devils started the second half with visibly more dynamism, surging forward in numbers and Nani looking slightly more threatening. Rooney sliced a crisp pass through to Hernandez in the 50th minute, but the Mexican was not to be beaten by Vermeer, who charged out of his goal to deny the striker. The English champions won corner after corner, but failed to find a breakthrough. The United barrage unsettled the Amsterdam side, with Siem de Jong entering the referee’s book after a rash tackle.
Manchester United did find the breakthrough in the 59th minute, after the Ajax defence failed to deal with a dangerous ball into the box. The ball eventually fell to Ashley Young, who created space for himself inside the box and firing home through the legs of Vermeer. Nani had a chance to double his sides lead just minutes later, but the Portuguese’s shot from close range flew harmlessly over.
End to end attacking play followed, with Ajax looking to level the score from range while United now looked the crisper side of the two. Shots from Alderweireld and Eriksen did not trouble de Gea, but a great surge forward from the latter on an Ajax counter ended with a shot the Spanish stopper will have been happy to see fly straight at him. It was Manchester United who found another breakthrough, however, as substitute Antonio Valencia found space for Wayne Rooney to surge into. The Englishman linked up neatly with Javier Hernandez, who somewhat fortunately slotted the ball past Vermeer. The Dutch goalkeeper got a solid touch on the ball with his body, but the deflection could not parry the shot off target.
The result leaves Manchester United in the driving seat to progress, while Ajax will have to produce a remarkable comeback to reach the last 16. Only the Amsterdam outfit will return to domestic duty before the second leg of the tie, with the reigning Dutch champions welcoming NEC to the Amsterdam Arena on Sunday. Manchester United do not travel to Norwich until February 26th, three days after the return fixture at Old Trafford.
| Sign up today with Ladbrokes and get a $20 welcome bonus! |
|
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In WAT
-
2 - 0Final
-
1 - 0Final
-
0 - 3Final
-
0 - 1Final
-
2 - 1Final
-
1 - 0Final
-
3 - 0Final
-
0 - 2Final
-
0 - 2Final
-
2 - 1Final
-
1 - 1Final
-
4 - 0Final
-
2 - 0Final
-
0 - 1Final
-
1 - 1Final
-
1 - 1Final
-
0 - 1Final
-
2 - 1Final
-
1 - 1Final
-
0 - 0Final
-
1 - 0Final
-
2 - 2Final
-
1 - 1Final
-
0 - 3Final
-
0 - 3Final
-
3 - 1Final
-
2 - 1Final
-
2 - 1Final
-
0 - 2Final
Live
Final
scheduled
Suspended
Cancelled
Postponed
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Libor Kozák Striker Lazio |
10 | 0 |
|
Ó. Cardozo Striker Benfica |
8 | 3 |
|
Rodrigo Palacio Striker Inter |
8 | 0 |
|
Eto'o Striker Anzhi Makhachkala |
7 | 2 |
|
Edinson Cavani Striker Napoli |
7 | 2 |