No derailing this Ajax side thanks to Tadic

Amsterdam – Former European Cup winners Ajax Amsterdam stayed firmly on track to reach the Champions League group stage after a dazzling first half helped them to a 3-1 home win over Dynamo Kiev in the first leg of their play-off on Wednesday.

Greek champions AEK Athens also put themselves in the driving seat with a 2-1 win at Hungary’s Vidi FC while Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb ground out a 1-1 draw at Swiss champions Young Boys Bern.

Ajax raced into a second-minute lead in Johan Cruyff Arena after Dusan Tadic teed up Donny van de Beek to side-foot home a low shot.

Dynamo levelled in the 16th minute when rightback Tomasz Kediora tapped in a rebound after Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana parried Tamas Kadar’s thumping header from a corner.

Kadar was at fault for Ajax’s second as an innocuous shot by midfielder Hakim Ziyech brushed his head and left Boyko stranded in the 35th minute.

Serb winger Tadic made it 3-1 with a goal of the highest quality in the 43rd minute. – Reuters