NOS Voetbal•gisteren, 22:55
Ajax started the Champions League with a sensational win over Paris Saint-Germain. The French top club was defeated 2-0 in the Johan Cruijff Arena in the first round of the group stage.
Tiny Hoekstra and Sherida Spitse scored the goals for the Dutch champions. PSG, with Dutch international Jackie Groenen on the field but without the injured Lieke Martens, missed a number of good opportunities.
It is the first time that a Dutch club participates in the group stage of the Champions League for women. UEFA introduced this format of the tournament two years ago.
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NOS
In the Johan Cruijff Arena, filled with 15,000 spectators, Ajax had a lot of ball possession, but the first chances were for PSG. Marie-Antoinette Katoto was able to shoot after goalkeeper Regina van Eijk had gone too far from her goal, but the PSG striker shot just over.
Moments later, Ajax’s goalkeeper again missed a high cross, but was then able to save Sandy Baltimore’s effort. Tabita Chawinga, PSG’s third attacker, headed onto the top of the crossbar after half an hour.
Hit for Ajax
But then Ajax took control. PSG defender Sakina Karchaoui was able to prevent Chasity Grant from scoring after a heavy collision with her own goalkeeper Constance Picaud, but the next attack was successful.
After a good pass from the only 16-year-old Lily Yohannes, striker Romée Leuchter put the ball back to midfielder Nadine Noordam. Her hard shot was blocked by Karchaoui, after which Tiny Hoekstra had a sudden chance. The left winger scored from an awkward angle: 1-0.
Shortly afterwards, Yohannes shot over from close range, but it became 2-0 before half time. Left back Ashleigh Weerden went forward and was knocked out by a wild tackle from Australian Clare Hunt. Captain Sherida Spitse scored the 2-0 flawlessly from eleven meters.
PSG, which reached the semi-finals of the Champions League no less than three times in the past four years, started the second half a lot more eagerly and that quickly led to a big chance for Baltimore, who met Rosa van Gool from close range.
On the other side, Hoekstra had a good chance for her second goal of the evening, but her hard shot went just wide. PSG started to play more and more physically, but the young Amsterdam team handled this well.
Only fifteen minutes before the end, PSG was close to scoring again. Van Eijk initially grabbed a shot from the American Korbin Albert, but was able to turn the ball just before the goal line.
Lap of Honor
In the final phase, Ajax gave up no more chances. After the final whistle from Swedish referee Olofsson, PSG’s stars left disappointed and the Ajax players started a festive lap of honour.
2023-11-15 21:55:21
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