Tottenham face an arduous task to keep their Champions League hopes alive after Ajax secured a crucial advantage in the semi-final first leg.
Donny van de Beek's 15th-minute goal, steered cleverly past Hugo Lloris from close range, put Erik ten Hag's exciting young side firmly in the driving seat going into the second leg in Amsterdam next Wednesday.
Spurs struggled to overcome the absence of forwards Harry Kane and Son Heung-min - injured and suspended respectively - and their job was made even harder by the loss of defender Jan Vertonghen after he suffered a facial injury in the first half.
Vertonghen's problem raised questions about player welfare after he was allowed to continue, albeit for only a few seconds, when he was clearly badly shaken up after an aerial collision involving team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana. He eventually had to be supported by two members of the Spurs staff as he went off.
Tottenham tried to force the pace after the break with plenty of possession, but it was Ajax who came close to adding a second when David Neres struck the inside of the post with Lloris beaten.
Ajax held on to their lead in relative comfort and it will need a stirring Spurs comeback to prevent the Dutch side facing either Barcelona or Liverpool in the final on 1 June.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Justice Dzamefe opposes gagging investigative journalism in defence of judiciary
13 minutes -
Ofosu Kwakye appeals for tax exemptions to sustain struggling state media
20 minutes -
Report facts, not perceptions – Justice Dzamefe tells journalists
26 minutes -
Judgements are based on evidence not on friendships – Justice Dzamefe
36 minutes -
Judiciary is not financially independent – Justice Dzamefe
39 minutes -
‘Forget women, smoking and drinking’ if you want to be World Champion – Bukom Banku
44 minutes -
Justice Dzamefe proposes timelines for court cases to enhance justice delivery
50 minutes -
Global conference on human resources in Africa slated in August
53 minutes -
Frederick Asare calls Kotoko’s FA Cup triumph a ‘special day’
1 hour -
We’ll cooperate with the majority in vetting of Supreme Court nominees – Minority
1 hour -
I am ready to defend myself in court for things I said about Zoomlion contract – Manasseh Azure
1 hour -
Livestream: Vetting of seven nominees to Supreme Court begins
1 hour -
WAFCON 2024: Black Queens name squad for pre-tournament camping
1 hour -
Sports Minister Kofi Adams calls for total overhaul of Ghana’s Professional Boxing
1 hour -
We’ll bid for gov’t sweepers contract again if tender is opened – Zoomlion
2 hours