AMSTERDAM • Praises have flowed for the Ajax academy graduates, who have stayed true to the "total football" philosophy espoused by Johan Cruyff in their rousing run from the qualifiers to the final four of the Champions League.
However, after failing to end a 24-year European Cup drought on Wednesday, the reality dawned on coach Erik ten Hag and his players that his team will now inevitably be broken up in the summer.
The Dutch league leaders were undone 3-2 on the night by a Lucas Moura hat-trick, including his added-time goal that punched Tottenham's ticket to the final on away goals despite the tie ending 3-3.
This season, Ajax have been a butterfly team, here for one glorious summer, but whose wings are already beginning to disintegrate a little in the sunlight.
Yet ten Hag found consolation in their "fantastic" European campaign despite the heartbreaking nature of their semi-final exit.
He said: "Football can be very beautiful and it can be very cruel. We have had to experience that today. 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."
Despite his pride, he rued the golden opportunity that slipped through their fingers, after goals from Matthijs de Ligt and Hakim Ziyech gave them a commanding 3-0 aggregate lead.
The Dutchman added: "If you're 2-0 up, you have to make sure you win and we failed to do that. In the first phase after half-time, we lost our grip on the game, they played a more opportunistic game.
"At 2-2, we dominated again and we created chances. It's very bitter that none of those went in and they scored a very fortunate goal in the last seconds, maybe even past what should have been the last second."
De Ligt heads a list of names that will likely be sold, including Ziyech, who hit the post; David Neres, who was injured during the warm-up; and Donny van de Beek, the first-leg match-winner. Frenkie de Jong has already agreed a blockbuster move to Barcelona.
While captain-defender de Ligt, 19, admitted he "did not know how to recover from this" and that it was "a dream that went bad", he told Dutch TV channel Veronica that Ajax were still going to fight for a domestic double.
The Dutch Cup winners lead the Eredivisie on goal difference from PSV Eindhoven with two matches left.
REUTERS, THE GUARDIAN
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has been hit with an Football Association charge for improper conduct following his side's loss at Burnley last weekend. Pochettino confronted referee Mike
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct
Dec 30, 2018 · Man City bounces back but Guardiola says it must beat Liverpool to keep EPL title race alive Updated 2347 GMT (0747 HKT) December 30, 2018 Chat with us in Facebook Messenger.
We Must Beat Liverpool - Guardiola - mysportdab.com
Tottenham Hotspur date for Singapore. Tottenham players like Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Danny Rose and Son Heung-min are expected to be in Singapore as part of their pre-season tour in July
ICC 2019 - tickets on sale for Shanghai and Singapore dates
Spurs' Hugo Lloris warns Arsenal are still title contenders warned Tottenham not to write rivals Arsenal out of the Premier League title race. but Lloris is right to warn against complacency.
Hugo Lloris warns Tottenham they must up their game against
PSG's first goal, the one that led to such a fractious reception thereafter, was created by Di Maria. It was from his corner on the right side, which he swung in with his left foot, that PSG profited.
South Korea's victorious under-18 team were stripped of the Panda Cup on Thursday after they infuriated hosts China with their celebrations. The Koreans had already apologised to "all the people
China strips South Korea of football trophy for 'indecent
Newcastle United beat Blackburn Rovers 4-2 after extra time while Championship side Stoke City threw away a two-goal lead as they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by third-tier Shrewsbury Town in FA Cup third-round replays on Tuesday.
Newcastle get extra-time win, Stoke fall to Shrews in Cup
VALENCIA • Valencia coach Marcelino has started the mind games by saying Arsenal are "the favourites" in their Europa League semi-final next month. The Spanish team, owned by Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, eased into the Europe's second-tier club competition for the first time in five years - a 2-0 home win over fellow LaLiga side
Arsenal favourites for Europa League - Marcelino
France coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday that Olympique Lyonnais left back Ferland Mendy will join Real Madrid. Spanish media reports said Real had agreed a fee of 55 million euros ($62.22 million) for Mendy, who has made 79 appearances for Lyon since moving from Le Havre in 2017.
Mendy Set for Real Move, Says France Coach Deschamps News
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.
Football: Chelsea's Olivier Giroud seeks France return to
Pep Guardiola believes Manchester City must beat Liverpool on Thursday (Friday morning, AEDT) to sustain their English Premier League title bid. City shook off consecutive defeats to coast past Southampton 3-1 at St Mary's on Sunday, with David Silva and Sergio Aguero
We must beat Liverpool to stay in title race: Guardiola
Lions line up 2 friendlies, to get new coach Yoshida soon The Straits Times understands that the Football Association of Singapore will unveil Tatsuma Yoshida as the new national coach this week
Lions line up 2 friendlies, to get new coach Yoshida soon
worldsportstale.com/soccer/lions-line-up-2-friendlies-to-get-new-coach-yoshida-soon/
Lions line up 2 friendlies, to get new coach Yoshida soon 05/28/2019 Comments Off on Lions line up 2 friendlies, to get new coach Yoshida soon After a seven-month wait, the Lions will play at the National Stadium again, and also welcome a new ringmaster.
Lions line up 2 friendlies, to get new coach Yoshida soon
virginiabus.info/sports/lions-line-up-2-friendlies-to-get-new-coach-yoshida-soon/
After a seven-month wait, the Lions will play at the National Stadium again, and also welcome a new ringmaster. The Straits Times understands that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) will unveil Tatsuma Yoshida as the new national coach this week, after announcing yesterday two international friendlies against Solomon Islands on June 8 and Myanmar […]
Lions line up 2 friendlies, to get new coach Yoshida soon
Jurgen Klopp labelled his team 'talented giants' after Liverpool's incredible victory. Champions League final with a stunning 4-0 win against the Spanish champions in the second leg at
A clinical Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-0 away in an intense Copa del Rey semi-final, second leg on Wednesday as a Luis Suarez double helped them secure a 4-1 aggregate victory and a spot in the
R Madrid 0 - 3 Barcelona - Match Report & Highlights
(Reuters) - Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted sending a member of his coaching staff to spy on Derby County ahead of their Championship (second-tier) match on Friday. Derby said earlier that local police had spoken to a person acting suspiciously outside their training ground on
Leeds Manager Bielsa Admits Sending Spy to Derby - News18
0 comments:
Post a Comment