The Ajax Women just failed to reach the main tournament of the Women’s Champions League. The great Arsenal, which already had a hard time with the hard-working Ajax a week ago, needed a whim from Vivianne Miedema to beat the Amsterdam women: 0-1. The difference in power was visible, but there could have been more for Ajax.
Ajax drew 2-2 in North London last week and that was a surprise in itself, as Arsenal was the towering favourite. With European champion Leah Williamson, the experienced Swedish Stina Blackstenius and the the Dutch all-time top scorer Miedema, that team was able to bring a number of big names within the lines. The women of Ajax can boast of a lot less experience, but they do have a player in shape in Romée Leuchter. The striker, about which Football zone could reveal that she dropped a transfer to Olympique Lyon last summer, was in the starting line.
Leuchter was accurate twice in the first leg, but was closely watched by the Arsenal defenders at Sportpark De Toekomst. That meant that the other attackers of Ajax got more space in the first half. However, not much was done with it: Ashleigh Weerden came through a number of times in a dangerous position over the left, but each time failed to play a teammate. It made it clear that the Amsterdam women, just like in London, could keep up with the top club.
That remained the case after the break, but Arsenal had Miedema and he showed himself quickly. Ajax suffered a loss of ball in its own half and the striker of the Gunners was able to take a free shot from about eighteen: 0-1. For a moment it then seemed as if the visitors would walk over the Ajax Women, but Suzanne Bakker’s team still straightened its back. In minute 71 it should have been even. Tiny Hoekstra, however, did not hit the ball well when she slipped into the empty goal a meter from. After a free shooting opportunity for Victoria Pelova also yielded nothing, the faith on the Amsterdam side sank and Arsenal claimed the victory.
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From a distance she gives Arsenal a 1-0 lead.#ZiggoSport #YOURCL #YEARS pic.twitter.com/lOXB8HYkf1— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) September 28, 2022