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Drama in Amsterdam
Deshsangbad Desk
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Drama in Amsterdam That left Tottenham needing a comeback to match that of Liverpool against Barcelona the previous night, but in an even shorter timespan. Two goals in quick succession from Lucas early in the second half gave them something to cling onto, before he struck the decisive blow. Erik ten Hag’s team must now lift themselves to try to complete a Dutch league and Cup double. Their team is then likely to be broken up before the new season begins -- Frenkie de Jong has already signed for Barcelona and De Ligt could reportedly join him at the Camp Nou, although Manchester United are among a host of other suitors. “I told the players it is very hard to find the right words in a moment like this and that football is cruel,†said Ten Hag. “We have to endure the cruel side tonight but we have to go on.†Both teams were deprived of key players -- England striker Harry Kane was missing through injury and Ajax suffered the blow of losing Brazilian winger David Neres to injury just before kick-off. But the Dutch side shrugged off his loss as De Ligt’s header put them ahead on the night. Spurs did threaten an immediate reply as Son Heung-min hit the near post before Ajax got their second when Dusan Tadic cut the ball back for Ziyech, whose shot flew into the far corner. Spurs scored their first in the 55th minute, Lucas combining with Dele Alli and slotting past Onana. Four minutes after that Lucas pounced when substitute Fernando Llorente’s effort was saved, the Brazilian deftly hooking the ball into the corner. Ajax came so close to securing victory as Ziyech twice nearly scored again and Jan Vertonghen crashed a header against the bar at the other end. Just when it looked like Ajax would hang on, Lucas sent his teammates into raptures. Deshsangbad/fh/mmh |