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Match Report: Ajax miraculously steals one point from Valencia: 1-1

For three minutes, the Ajacieden in the dressing-room were disappointed, because Angulo's equalizer (90+2') wiped out Zlatan's 88th minute opening goal. But after those three minutes of disappointment, they realized that Ajax had just notched an unlikely point from the doorstep of hell. A great start for the Amsterdammers, in the second group stage of the Champions League.

Andy van der Meyde's post-game comment: "It just wasn't fair that we scored. Even with this one point, we should be extremely happy." And why not? Valencia CF, reigning champions in the best football league in Europe, and currently well ahead of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, never lost a Champions League home game and played two finals since 2000. Only four teams grabbed a Champions League point at Mestalla. Ajax is number five, thanks to an amazing array of saves by Joey Didulica, a stalwart performance by André Bergdølmo, two midfielders who survived the vortex (Pienaar and Van der Vaart) and one moment of true striker-instinct of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It was a true miracle that Valencia did not score until stoppage time. In fact, it was a miracle that did not take the lead after only 90 seconds, as the first, low cross from the left flank went past every Ajax defender, including Joey Didulica. All that John Carew had to do was to push the ball into the completely empty goal, from less than three yards. He lifted it over the cross-bar.

Didulica and Carew's marker, André Bergdølmo, had a particularly nervous start, but later became two of Ajax key heroes of the night. Didulica made his first save in the 10th minute, as Carew slammed his head against the ball from a corner kick. The Ajax Aussie reflex on the goal-line was amazing.

By that time, the score could, or even should have been 1-1. An Andy van der Meyde cross from the left, curled beautifully over the Valencia defense, giving Jari Litmanen the perfect chance to push home, a yard or two from Canizares. He didn't hit the the ball right, and it wasn't the only time.

It was Ajax' only truly dangerous moment in the first half, in which the Amsterdammers had to give everything only to stay upright amidst the tornado. Ajax got the chance to play every once in a while, but - on top of it all - played inaccurately. Every duel was lost, except by the defense line. Every pass went wrong, every long kick was a pray for Valencia. There was no escape. Jari Litmanen had a complete off-day, in the forward position in which he flopped at Liverpool. Mido and Van der Meyde were busier defending than attacking.

It must be said that Valencia did not get many real scoring chances, but Ajax did not seem to be 'in control', like in Lyon. Ajax was grasping for breath by the time referee Vaissière whistled for half-time.

For a few minutes, it seemed like things were different in the second half. Ajax could finally show some football and there were a few shooting attempts. But the storm did not vanish. The number of real chances for Valencia was never higher as in the period between the 60th and 80th minutes. The spectacular ways in which Ajax to managed to stay alive in this phase, were almost surreal.

Valencia vs Ajax became the game of Joey Didulica. He just got his hand against another Carew header. The rebound was cleared off the line. A minute later, a free-kick by Baraja went straight through the 'wall' of Ajax players. Didulica's dive to the corner was simply unbelievable. A 70th minute scrimmage seemed to last forever. Didulica saved another open scoring chance, the rebound was cleared off the line by Cris Chivu, who already played with a bandage (cut eyebrow), but now had to throw himself against the iron post to save his team.

In this phase, Valencia was playing with twelve men. The extra help came from referee Vaissière, who gave dangerous free kicks for literally everything. Didulica saved two more, in amazing style. Galásek got one straight in the face and was booked for storming out of the Ajax 'wall' too soon. He will miss the home game against AS Roma, just like Cris Chivu. It was the price Ajax had to pay for survival.

Being so incredibly lucky, you almost started believing that heaven wanted Ajax to stunt at Mestalla. Koeman's decision to take off the weak Litmanen and bring Zlatan instead, proved to be a lucky one. After Zlatan's 82nd minute shot surprised Canizares and went inches wide, he turned the game upside down in the 88th, as Rafaël van der Vaart rushed across midfield, gave the thru-pass and saw Zlatan smoothly slip past Canizares... and score: 0-1.

How in the name of God was it possible?

The goal Miguel Angulo scored four minutes later (what a nice one it was, turning away from Chivu and firing home in one fluent movement) could have been scored countless times before on this night. A night on which a flicker of disappointment was washed away by the sweet taste of euphoria. A night on which a precious, unexpected and unlikely point was clinched at Mestalla. (MP)

GOALS

• 88' 0-1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
• 90+2' 1-1 Miguel Angel Angulo

Referee: Veissière (France)
Yellow cards: Chivu, Mido, De Jong, Galásek (Ajax), Albelda (Valencia CF)
Attendance: 40,000

Ajax line-up: Didulica; Trabelsi, Chivu, Bergdølmo, Maxwell; Van der Meyde, Galásek, Pienaar (71. De Jong), Van der Vaart; Litmanen (59. Zlatan), Mido (85. Boukhari).

Valencia CF line-up: Canizares; Torres, Pellegrino, Ayala, Carboni (74. Aurelio); Albelda (84. De Los Santos), Baraja, Vicente, Mista (69. Juan Sanchez); Angulo, Carew.

Group B result: AS Roma vs Arsenal FC 1-3

Related Links:

• Discussion: European Games
• Supershota: Goals (AVI video)
• Ajax.nl: Match Report (in Dutch, with pictures)