Man United through despite defeat to Ajax
Reuters - Thursday 23 February 2012, 22:12
Manchester United scraped
into the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday, narrowly
avoiding a humiliating elimination after being outplayed and
losing 2-1 at home to Ajax Amsterdam.
Not even a sixth-minute opener from Javier Hernandez could
inspire United as Aras Ozbiliz levelled eight minutes before the
break and Toby Aldeweireld's late header set up a nerve-wracking
finale.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took the blame for fielding too
many young defenders after his side slunk through 3-2 on
aggregate in only the second meeting of two of Europe's most
successful clubs.
They will face Atheltic Bilbao in the last 16 after the side
led by eccentric former Argentina and Chile coach Marcelo Bielsa
beat Lokomotiv Moscow 1-0, despite being reduced to 10-man, to
qualify on away goals.
Atletico Madrid beat Lazio 1-0 to complete a 4-1 aggregate
win and Valencia, Spain's other representatives, beat Stoke City
1-0 to complete a 2-0 aggregate win.
Steaua Bucharest's dream of reaching the final in their home
city ended at Twente Enschede who were joined in the last
sixteen by fellow Dutch side PSV Eindhoven.
"I'm disappointed, I'm responsible for picking the team and
there were too many young players in the back four, that was a
big problem in terms of experience," said Ferguson in a
television interview. "It was a big risk I took."
"Ajax are a fantastic football team in terms of keeping the
ball, they never looked like scoring [at first] but they got the
goal and it gave them that encouragement."
Although Ajax have not won a European trophy since 1995,
they still have a more impressive tally than United with four
European Cup titles, one Cup Winners' Cup and one UEFA Cup.
Missing Wayne Rooney due to a throat infection, United
appeared to be cruising when Hernandez put them ahead after six
minutes, cutting inside his marker to score with a clinical
finish after being set up by Dimitr Berbatov.
LOUD FANS
Ajax's possession was pleasing to witness but ineffective
until the 37th minute when Aras Ozbiliz thumped home a
first-time shot from 20 metres despite a suspected handball by
Nicolas Lodeiro in the build-up.
Ajax, the first Dutch team to win at Old Trafford, took
control of the game and sounded a warning just before the hour
when Siem de Jong's header was brilliantly turned over the bar
by David de Gea.
Although United eased Ajax's grip, defender Aldeweireld
stole ahead of hesitant defenders to head home from an
inswinging free-kick in the 87th minute.
It was hard to fathom how Ajax, whose fans outsang the home
crowd throughout the match, had been knocked out in the group
stages of the Champions League.
Athletic struggled to claw back a 2-1 first-leg deficit
against Lokomotiv and their cause appeared to be lost when
Fernando Amorebieta was given a second yellow card for a trip of
Roman Shishkin on the hour.
Yet, two minutes later, teenager Iker Muniain scored at the
far post to send Athletic through on away goals.
Former European champions Steaua were already trailing 1-0
as they travelled to Twente Enschede and their hopes ended just
before the half hour following a blunder by Ciprian Tatarusanu,
who lost his footing as he tried to control a back-pass.
Luuk de Jong pounced before squaring to Nacer Chadli, who
calmly rolled into the unguarded net to give Twente another 1-0
win.
Braga, last season's runners-up, followed fellow Portuguese
and defending champions Porto out of the tournament as they lost
2-1 on aggregate to Besiktas, despite winning the second leg 1-0
away with a Lima goal.
Uruguayan defender Diego Godin headed the winner for
Atletico Madrid, who chalked up their sixth successive home win
in Europe and remained unbeaten after nine games under coach
Diego Simeone, the former Argentine international.
Metalist Kharkiv chalked up the biggest win, thumping
Salzburg 4-1 for an 8-0 aggregate win.
Porto were eliminated by Manchester City on Wednesday.