Ajax Triumph in Marathon Penalty Shootout to Reach Europa League Play-Off Round.
Ajax secured their place in the Europa League qualifying play-off round after a dramatic 13-12 victory over Panathinaikos in an epic penalty shootout that featured a staggering 34 spot-kicks. The nail-biting encounter saw both teams locked in a 1-1 aggregate draw after Panathinaikos clinched a late 1-0 win in Amsterdam, thanks to Tete’s 89th-minute goal. However, the Greek side’s efforts were ultimately undone by the Dutch giants in the shootout.
Veteran goalkeeper Remko Pasveer, 40, was the hero for Ajax, making five crucial saves during the marathon shootout and even stepping up to convert a penalty himself. The decisive moment came when defender Anton Gaaei coolly slotted home the winning kick, sparking wild celebrations among the Ajax faithful.
Despite the pressure, Ajax manager Francesco Farioli praised his team’s resilience and determination. “The spirit and dedication of the team were amazing tonight,” Farioli told Ziggo Sport. “We are not perfect, but we can’t say that the players didn’t give it their all.”
The shootout, which lasted 25 minutes, was the second-longest in European competition history, just shy of the record set by Glentoran and Gzira United in the Conference League last season, which ended 14-13. The intense drama unfolded after a goalless extra time, with Ajax surviving despite Brian Brobbey missing two penalties, and further misses from Bertrand Traore and Youri Baas.
Ajax’s hard-fought victory now sets up a challenging two-legged play-off against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok later this month, as they aim to advance to the league phase of the Europa League. Farioli reflected on the extraordinary nature of the shootout, saying, “It’s difficult to go into a penalty shootout after a game like that. It may have taken a little longer, but we’ve taken another important step.”
With their confidence bolstered by this victory, Ajax will be looking to continue their European journey and secure a spot in the group stages of the competition.
