Four-star Ajax open door to last 16
Published: 02 Nov 2011 - 22:46:55
Ajax rekindled their Champions League qualification hopes by overwhelming Dinamo Zagreb 4-0 here on Wednesday to climb above Lyon into second place in Group D.
Dutch international right-back Gregory van der Wiel broke the deadlock in the 20th minute at the Amsterdam ArenA, lashing the ball into the roof of the net after being teed up by a brilliant back-heel from Christian Eriksen.
Siem de Jong released Miralem Sulejmani to double Ajax's lead five minutes later and de Jong got on the score-sheet himself in the 65th minute, after seizing upon another delightful Eriksen flick.
Uruguay playmaker Nicolas Lodeiro completed the win in injury time, finishing low at the near post as the four-time European champions scored four goals for the third game in succession in all competitions.
Ajax trail group leaders Real Madrid by five points, after Jose Mourinho's side booked their last 16 place with a 2-0 win at Lyon, but they are now in pole position to join Real in the knockout phase.
Frank de Boer's men travel to Lyon for their next match on November 22, when victory will be enough to take them through.
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