AMSTERDAM (REUTERS) - Ajax Amsterdam coach Erik ten Hag described their semi-final exit from the Champions League as "very cruel" after the Dutch side were undone by Lucas Moura's 96th minute strike for Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday (May 8).
"Football can be very beautiful and it can be very cruel. We have had to experience that today," said Ten Hag, whose young side appeared to be heading for a final showdown with Liverpool on June 1 in Madrid until Moura's last-gasp strike shattered their dreams.
Having lost the first leg in London 1-0, Tottenham secured their place in the final thanks to a hat-trick from Moura which completed a 3-2 win on the night. With the encounter ending 3-3 on aggregate, Spurs emerged triumphant on the away goals rule.
The result ended Ajax's long, and barely plausible, ride through three preliminary rounds, starting in July, to the last four of the competition.
During that incredible run, they had knocked out holders Real Madrid and Juventus and on Wednesday were seconds away from a place in the final - until it all ended in heartache.
"Overall we had a fantastic Champions League campaign, 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," said Ten Hag.
Â
Â
Â
But the coach admitted that they let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers having been 3-0 ahead on aggregate with 45 minutes left to play.
"If you're 2-0 up, you have to make sure you win the game, and we failed to do that. In the first phase after halftime we lost our grip on the game, they played a more opportunistic game," he said.
"But after the score was level at 2-2 we dominated again and we created chances.
"It's very bitter that none of those went in, and that they scored a very fortunate goal in the last seconds, maybe even past what should have the last second."
Defender Daley Blind described the defeat as "a dream that had burst" while teenaged captain Matthijs de Ligt called it "a nightmare".
"What am I supposed to say? It's terrible. We were so close. This is a dream that has burst apart," said Blind.
De Ligt added: "It's a nightmare, like a dream that went bad.
"We played well in the first half, we had it all our way. We didn't keep up the same pressure in the second half.
"We gave silly goals away. We were so close to the final … and then the ball goes in. Unbelievable."
Football: London-born Yennaris makes China debut in Philippine win Former Arsenal reserve Nico Yennaris (L, pictured during a Chinese Super League match) is known as Li Ke in China, where there
London-born Yennaris makes China debut in Philippine win
Russell Westbrook is with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the long haul. The next 16 games could determine what kind of help he has beyond this season. The clock is ticking on this Thunder core
Clock Ticking on MTA Overtime Glut as Union Sours on Cuomo
The Australian Financial Review; Football: Australian Joe Palatsides set to replace Belgian Michel Sablon as FAS' new technical director The Straits Times; Australia squad for women's World Cup
Football: Football Association of Singapore appoints Joseph
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid
Football: Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending
Pochettino's side made a dismal start as Donny van de Beek put Ajax ahead after just 15 minutes at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday. Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy
Football: Pochettino takes blame but slams 'sloppy' Spurs
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in FA Cup. takes a shot but fails to score during the English FA Cup third round match against Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup
Football: Hougang United out to avenge March 3 thrashing by Tampines Rovers in SPL Noh Rahman embracing learning curve as Home United interim coach Tampines coach Gavin Lee was also keen
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Photos of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and colleagues in the days of little beginning and now
EPL, English Premier League news: Brendan Rodgers set to make
Australian female footballers to earn same base pay as men the base annual pay for players in the W-League was hiked 33 percent to Aus$16,344 (US$11,393). Australia is not the only nation
LIVERPOOL: Goals from Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino earned Liverpool a 2-0 win over Porto on Tuesday to give Juergen Klopp's side the upper hand in their Champions League quarter-final tie
Keita and Firmino give Liverpool 2-0 win over Porto | Sports
Man Utd legends thrash Bayern in 1999 charity rematch. 6 days ago. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tormented Bayern Munich once again as the Manchester United manager scored in his club's 1999 treble winners' reunion on Sunday. Twenty years after Solskjaer scored the last-gasp winner that helped
Get a report of the Villarreal vs. Real Madrid 2018/2019 Spanish Primera División football match. seven points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. going level on points with Sevilla and
La Liga live: Getafe v Barcelona - Live - BBC Sport
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen