14 AUG 2018; Ajax - Standard Liege; CL Qualifying

[Cruijff]

As this game will be played on August 14, I will open the Match of the Day topic.

Did one of you ever see this 'schwalbe' (German for fake dive) by the former Standard Liege coach?
Footballers often act ridicilous, nice that their coaches set an example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9RutKZERqA

[Cruijff]

Well at least the bright side is we will not underestimate Standard.
Or will we?

[Orange14]

Well at least the bright side is we will not underestimate Standard.
Or will we?

Standard drew 0-0 with Cercle Brugge yesterday (not to be confused with table leader Club Brugge)

[Cruijff]

I know indeed the difference between League winner 2017/2018 Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge, the smaller team in the same town.
Johan played his first match for FC Barcelona against Cercle Brugge.

[Amol]

Found a stream here - http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2018/cha ... dard-luik/

Unfortunately, I'm going to be in meetings for the next 5 hours and won't be able to watch.

HUP AJAX!!

[Orange14]

Found a stream here - http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2018/cha ... dard-luik/

Unfortunately, I'm going to be in meetings for the next 5 hours and won't be able to watch.

HUP AJAX!!

You need to reorder your priorities!!! Actually, I had the same problems when I was still working.

[Orange14]

Is Tagliafico suspended for this match? What is the Yellow Card accumulation rule for the qualifying rounds?

EDIT: Nevermind. I just found the UEFA rules and it takes three Yellows for a suspension.

[Tom_]

Found a stream here - http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2018/cha ... dard-luik/

Unfortunately, I'm going to be in meetings for the next 5 hours and won't be able to watch.

HUP AJAX!!

Thanks for posting that. 2-0 in the 40th minute.

[Orange14]

Good first half. Everyone is having a good game. Mazraoui is getting help on defense. Standard only had the one hard shot and Onana was quick on the save. Was Huntelaar off sides on the first goal? Kind of looked like it to me. Nice header by de Ligt for goal number two. Ajax have been on the front foot and should keep this up in the 2nd half!

[SPL]

Great 1st half KJH is still good enough at this level ,now 35. Hope we get that 3rd quickly to finish them off.

As well as watching this game ,cricfree good stream at the moment,I am following my cricket team on sky ie Sussex.

[SPL]

A very easy win and a fine 3rd goal finished them off.A very good performance tonight by all.

i assume its Kiev next which will be difficult

[kezme44]

worked from home today to see this one. had a TC but out myself on mute and watched the game. great 3-0 victory. for once, i can say that the team played well. tadic and de jong were outstanding. dynamo kiev in the next round. brings back memories when we beat them 5-6 years ago at home in the same stage of the qualification. believe suarez and el hamdaoui scored that day.

[Orange14]

Fine performance from Ajax tonight. A little helter skelter in added time and they were lucky not to concede as Standard could not put a shot on frame. A couple of poor passes also led to chances but Onana was up to the task of saving some tough shots. Not much else to complain about. Spartak Moscow lost their tie to PAOK Salonika while Dynamo Kiev and Benfica move on to the final round with Ajax. I believe Ajax are destined for a trip to the Ukraine.

Player Ratings:

Onana (7.5) - stopped everything and got nice help from the post as well to keep a clean sheet
Tagliafico (7) - fine match and good on the ball
Blind (7) - one bad pass but otherwise a solid game
de Ligt (7.5) - closed everything down in his area and dominant in the air
Mazraoui (7) - unlike last week, he was never tested
Schöne (7) - solid match and I guess due for some rest on Saturday
de Jong (7.5) - really nice to see him play a full 90 in the MF
Ziyech (7) - yes he was sloppy on the ball a couple of times but he gets right back into the game and pressures the opponent
Neres (7.5) - always dangerous in this game
Huntelaar (7.5) - got the game winner and made a lot of good runs to get free
Tadic (7.5) - not only is he playing well, he is having a good time as well
Kristensen (6.5) - played the final third for Mazraoui and played it well
van de Beek (7) - nice job in for Schöne
Labyad (NR) - on late for Ziyech

Away to VVV on Saturday

[SPL]

Nice to report they all had a good game .

[zeux]

I would grand Tadic with an 8. Motor of the team.

[Tom_]

Good win, great noise in the stadium too

[Cruijff]

Good win, great noise in the stadium too

Yeahhh that was very good.
I think SPL will come to Amsterdam again in September for the home match against FC Groningen, but an European match is always way more fun.

Tadic (7.5) - not only is he playing well, he is having a good time as well

Yes, good to see he's really enjoying it.
I can imagine playing at Ajax and dominating is way more fun than being at the bottom of a big league and not being able to feel all these energy in a sold out stadium at European cup nights.