22 AUG 2018; Ajax - Dynamo Kiev; CL Playoff

[Orange14]

Ajax host the Ukraine club in the first of the two leg tie to see which team advances to the CL group stage. Dynamo were runners up to Shakhtar Donnetsk last season. I don't know too much about the team and almost all the player are Ukrainian unlike Shakhtar who have a bunch of Brazilians on their roster. They defeated Slavia Prague in the recent round but that may not mean much as the Czech club is in turmoil these days because of some dodgy Chinese investment.

[Orange14]

For those of you in the US, it looks like the TNT cable network will be televising this match live!! They are part Turner/Univision who have the CL rights in the US this year.

[Amol]

The live video link for tonight's game is up - http://www.sportnews.to/sports/2018/cha ... namo-kyiv/

This has worked well for the past 4 games so far. Hopefully works again today.

[Cruijff]

What do you expect guys?

I expect a good home win, but don't know yet about the score.

[Amol]

Their defense apparently is rock solid. Don't know what to expect.

Hoping for a 2-0.

[Cruijff]

Their defense apparently is rock solid. Don't know what to expect.

Hoping for a 2-0.

In 7 official matches this season their opponents scored a total goals of 1.
And this one goal was in the 95th minute of the away game against Slavia Prague.

Despite that I expect us to score 2 or 3 times tonight!

[kezme44]

Thanks for sharing the link Amol. Working from home again for this one so I can watch.

Not quite sure what to expect tonight. Kiev is a much better team than Graz or Standard. I think they will defend and play on the counter, so Tagliafico and Mazraoui need to be careful, they both have the tendency to get caught in the back, especially Mazraoui. I would almost prefer Kristensen for this one.

I say 1-0 for us, but hope it's a 3-0!

[Orange14]

Clean sheet from the defense is paramount. If we concede an away goal this tie will be very difficult to win given that Dynamo will bunker down in the home match. Of course in this competition nothing is a given. There was a Europa League tie between Zenit St. Petersburg and Dynamo Minsk a couple of weeks ago. Minsk won the home tie 4-0 and one would think that would see them through. Didn't happen as Zenit got the four goals back in regulation time and then in AET, scored four more while conceding one; they end up winning it 8-5. Don't know if this is the greatest comeback in EL history but it certainly would rank right up there.

My hope is 2-0 for Ajax. In the absence of Neres I think the club should go to a 4-5-1 with van der Beek. Move the four attacking MFs all over the pitch to create openings.

[SPL]

Go along with 2-0.Donny in MF and Tadic and Hakim playing wide so 4-5-1 in effect

[Tom_]

Our defense is shaky so I’m going to say 1-1

[Ayman]

Donny 1-0 .... Will ten Hag ever dare drop him again?

[Amol]

1-0!!

Not watching right now - may be able to watch the 2nd half.

[Ayman]

Onana wtf! 1-1

[Tom_]

More like Huntelaar wtf, he managed to clear the ball backwards and gave away the corner.

I'm worried we're going to concede a few more here. Kiev are getting forward on the counter *far* too easily.

[kezme44]

mazraoui needs to take some shooting lessons. huntelaar having a bad game so far

[Ayman]

Ziyech 2-1

[Amol]

2-1!!!!

[Tom_]

Two shots on target, both luckily ended up in the net.

Gotta hang on to the ball, because Kiev are getting shots off every possession.

[kezme44]

finally one of our players has the balls to take a shot from outside the box

[Tom_]

Nice. That's more like it!

[Ayman]

Tadic!!!!!!!!!!! If anyone deserved a goal it was him! 3-1

[Tom_]

Feeling pretty lucky to go in 3–1 up after Kiev created lots of danger off counterattacks, long balls and corners. Think Ajax is going to have to close up and get the game under control to avoid a stack of away goals.

[kezme44]

way too much space in the middle when kiev go on the counter. need to close those gaps otherwise they'll score again

[Orange14]

What a treat it is to watch this match on television and we have the great pleasure of Martin Tyler and Stewart Robson as the match announcers!!!!

A bit of luck on the first two goals from Ajax but not on the third. Great cross in by Tagliafico and smooth touch from Tadic. Defensively Ajax are very poor on set pieces. de Ligt has to do much better marking his man. Have to keep the score at one for Kiev.

[Ayman]

Feeling pretty lucky to go in 3–1 up after Kiev created lots of danger off counterattacks, long balls and corners. Think Ajax is going to have to close up and get the game under control to avoid a stack of away goals.

5-3 at full time?