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| Thulani Serero |
Thulani Serero and Danny Hoesen scored to give Ajax a surprise half-time lead, but straight after the interval the defender Joel Veltman was sent off for a tackle on Neymar and Xavi Hernández pulled a goal back for Barcelona from the penalty spot. The visitors applied pressure in search of an equaliser but Ajax held out to thunderous applause from a capacity crowd at the Amsterdam ArenA.
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Ajax stay third in Group H, one point behind Milan, who they must now beat at San Siro on 11 December if they are to advance to the knockout stages.
Barcelona, who were without the injured Lionel Messi, are two points clear at the top of the group and not yet sure of first place, though they were already through to the knockout phase before Tuesday's game.
Serero ghosted in late for the first goal in the 19th minute, applying the decisive touch to a strong cross from the right from the full-back Ricardo van Rhijn, who just five minutes earlier had made a goal-saving tackle on Neymar.
The South African international's first Champions League goal precipitated a period of sustained pressure from the young Dutch side, culminating in a second goal three minutes from half-time.
A poor clearance from Javier Mascherano saw Ajax set up a chance for Viktor Fischer, whose shot was parried by goalkeeper José Manuel Pinto only for Hoesen to pick up the rebound, go round Carles Puyol and score with the help of a deflection off Gerard Piqué. A fan was seriously injured after he fell from the stands while celebrating the goal. He was taken to hospital after medics arrived by helicopter to treat him on the dust track around the pitch.
Ajax's lead was halved just two minutes after half-time when Van Rhijn's poor back pass set Neymar away and Veltman tripped him on the edge of the area, conceding a penalty and getting himself sent off.
Xavi converted the spot kick to send Ajax into defensive mode. They held out for the three points, keeping Neymar at bay and ensuring the Brazilian has yet to open his Champions League goalscoring account.
It was Barcelona's first defeat under Gerardo Martino and ended their hopes of a record-equalling longest unbeaten start to a season. The previous time they lost was at home to Bayern Munich in last season's Champions league semi-final.
Source :guardian.co.uk
Tags : Bafana, Ajax, Barcelona, champions league, Serero
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