Soccer-Ajax Amsterdam book berth in European club competition

Ajax Amsterdam clinched ​a berth in European ​club competition with ‌a penalty ​shootout win over Utrecht in their playoff at neutral Volendam on Sunday. Ajax ‌qualified for the second preliminary round of the Conference League, winning 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at the ‌end of extra time.

The win puts some gloss on ‌a difficult season for the four-time European champions, who finished the regular season in fifth place and went into a playoff with ⁠three ​other clubs for ⁠a spot in continental club competition. Davy Klaassen broke the deadlock with ⁠a deflected free kick seven minutes into extra time but Gjivai ​Zechiel equalised soon after.

Penalties from Utrecht's Sebastian Haller and ⁠Souffian El Karouani were saved by goalkeeper Maarten Paes, while Ajax ⁠flawlessly ​converted all four penalties taken. Ajax will find out the identity of their prospective Conference League opponents when ⁠the draw is held on June 17.

Should they survive the second ⁠preliminary ⁠round, Ajax must get through another two knockout rounds to qualify for the group phase. (Writing ‌by ‌Mark Gleeson in Rabat; Editing ​by Andrew Cawthorne)

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