Ajax sink Auxerre to fire last-16 dream

Four-time champions Ajax ignited their push for a place in the Champions League knockout phase with a 2-1 win at home to Auxerre here on Tuesday.

The result moved Martin Jol’s side level on points with second-placed AC Milan in Group G, while Auxerre’s hopes of securing even a consolation place in the Europa League by finishing third now appear seriously compromised.

Auxerre demonstrated impressive discipline and commitment in their opening defeats at AC Milan and at home to Real Madrid, but their resistance crumbled after just six minutes at the Amsterdam ArenA.

Delvin N’Dinga, so impressive in the 1-0 defeat by Real, was caught dwelling on the ball just outside his own area and Dutch international Demy de Zeeuw seized on the opportunity to crack a rising drive into the top-left corner.

Auxerre were without a string of first-team players and when they found the net in the 24th minute, the goal was ruled out for a clear foul on goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg by Roy Contout.

Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, one of the stars of the World Cup, made it 2-0 shortly before half-time by applying a deft finish to a sweeping move down the Ajax right flank.

The visitors were handed a lifeline in the 55th minute when Ajax centre-back Andre Ooijer was sent off for a last-man foul on Dennis Oliech and Slovenian international Valter Birsa bent in the resulting free-kick to halve the arrears.

Oliech himself saw red with five minutes to play, after being shown a second yellow card for punching the ball into the net as Auxerre’s hopes of an equaliser faded.

The French side’s misery was compounded in the final minute when substitute Jean-Pascal Mignot was also sent off for dissent from the bench.