Group A Europa League Round-Up: Ajax, Anderlecht Qualify, Timisoara, Dinamo Zagreb Out

Benelux dominate yet again...

Nov 5, 2009 3:56:03 PM

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EUROPA LEAGUE: Luis Suarez and Demy de Zeeuw, Dinamo Zagreb - Ajax (foto PROSHOTS)

After wins for Ajax and Anderlecht, the Dutch and Belgian sides advance, while Timisoara and nine-man Dinamo Zagreb are eliminated with two games remaining.

Ajax Advance

Amsterdam outfit Ajax traveled to Croatia needing a win to guarantee their place in the Round of 32, and duly delivered thanks to goals from Marko Pantelic and Demy de Zeeuw.

Dinamo were compelled to play this game behind closed doors due to crowd trouble, and the lack of atmosphere did not help them as Ajax took an early lead, with Pantelic netting after good work from Urby Emanuelson.

Leandro Cufre was given his marching orders shortly afterwards for a foul on Luis Suarez, and Ajax duly took advantage of their ten-man visitors thanks to De Zeeuw's confident strike from Suarez's assist.


Dinamo collapsed in the second period as Adrian Calello walked for a second bookable offense, but at least managed to keep the score down.

Belgians Bounce On

Anderlecht's win over Timisoara was hard-fought but deserved, as is their passage to the knockout stage.

Twenty-nine minutes in Matias Suarez opened the scoring with a spot-kick after being pulled down in the box.

But five minutes after the break, Winston Parks equalized after going one-on-one with home goalkeeper Silvio Proto.

Jonathan Legear then set up Mbark Boussoufa for the leading goal 20 minutes from time - the Moroccan's header serving as Anderlecht's 500th European goal of all time.

That became 501 right at the death as Legear settled any late nerves with a cheeky lob on the counter.

Steve Michaels, Goal.com

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