体坛英语新闻：Ajax beat Apoel to qualify for group phase Champions League

THE HAGUE, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ajax secured a place in the group phase of the 2019/2020 Champions League season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Nicosia in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

After the 0-0 on Cyprus last week Ajax needed a win in the Johan Cruijff Arena to go through. The home-team dominated from the start, but major chances were rare until the final minutes of the first half.

First captain Dusan Tadic hit the side of the net from close range on a sharp cross by Hakim Ziyech. A few minutes later Mexican signing Edson Alvarez headed in a free-kick by Ziyech on his debut as a starter, 1-0.

In the second half Klaas Jan Huntelaar thought he doubled the scoring, but the goal was disallowed by the VAR for offside by the foot of Joel Veltman. A goal by Apoel striker Andrija Pavlovic was also disallowed, for clear offside.

Ten minutes from time Tadic decided the match. After a cross by Huntelaar Tadic perfectly placed the ball for his left foot and scored.

The win means Ajax will join the draw for the Champions League group phase in Monaco on Thursday. Moreover, the side of coach Erik ten Hag gets a chance to repeat the successful campaign of last season, when Ajax got to the semifinals.