Ajax secured their place in the Europa League group stage following an extraordinary penalty shootout against Panathinaikos, which saw a staggering 34 spot-kicks. Despite a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, the Amsterdam side lost the second match at home on Thursday night, with Brazilian winger Tete scoring in the 89th minute to level the aggregate and push the game into extra time. After a goalless additional 30 minutes, the tie was decided by penalties.
The shootout, lasting an unprecedented 25 minutes, featured multiple players taking penalties twice. Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey missed both of his attempts, including an early opportunity to secure victory. The score was tied at 5-5 after 16 penalties, and remarkably, 14 consecutive spot-kicks were converted by both sides, including successful attempts from goalkeepers Remko Pasveer and Bartlomiej Dragowski.
Brobbey’s second attempt soared over the bar, causing him to fall to his knees in despair. However, Ajax was spared when Tonny Vilhena, a former Feyenoord midfielder, missed the ninth penalty of the shootout. Ajax’s veteran goalkeeper, the 40-year-old Pasveer, made a crucial fifth save to keep his team in contention.
Captain Jordan Henderson, who had already scored in the shootout, chose to allow Anton Gaaei to take the decisive penalty. Gaaei did not falter, converting his spot-kick and igniting celebrations at the Johan Cruyff Arena as Ajax’s players rejoiced.
Reflecting on his performance, Pasveer told Ziggo Sport, “That’s my job, right?” Henderson, discussing his decision to pass on the final penalty, added, “After Brian Brobbey missed, Anton Gaaei asked if he could take it if they missed. I said, ‘sure, go take the glory.’ He’s probably better at penalties anyway. He deserves it, he’s a great lad.”
Ajax now looks forward to the Europa League group stage draw on August 29, with their next fixture against NAC Breda as they begin their Eredivisie campaign on Sunday.
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