By Joiner Martinez
Aug 15, 2024, 9:44 PM EDT
Ajax had to sweat hard to beat Panathinaikos and advance to the last qualifying round of the Europa League.
They did so thanks to an endless series of penalty shoot-outs, with seventeen shots for each one, to qualify for the preliminary round of the group stage.
The Dutch side, who had won the first leg 1-0 in Athens, saw their lead slip away when Brazilian Tete scored in the 89th minute to give Uruguayan Diego Alonso’s team the victory, levelling the tie.
The score remained unchanged in extra time and the match went to penalties. Each team took seventeen shots from the penalty spot. Six players from each team had to take two more.
A mistake by Dutchman Tonny Vilhena for the Greeks and a subsequent success by Anron Gaaei gave Ajax a place in the next round. Panathinakios will play the preliminary round of the Conference League.
By bringing on players such as Mika Godts and Bertrand Traoré, Ajax coach Farioli attempted to turn the tide of the match. Just before the end, Godts had a chance to score the decisive goal, but the Belgian winger hit the post. Brazilian substitute Tetê then put the Greeks ahead and forced extra time.
After 120 minutes, penalties decided the winner. It took 34 penalties until there was a winner. Pasveer saved five and Brobbey missed two.
Anton Gaaei scored the winning goal. In the playoffs, Ajax will face Jagiellonia Bialystok. The Polish champion was eliminated this week in the Champions League qualifying round.
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