galásek saves ajax blushes published: wednesday 27 august 2003, 21.53cet afc ajax 2-1 grazer ak (agg: 3-2) ajax go through thanks to a 'silver goal'.
afc ajax defeated nine-man grazer ak 2-1 on wednesday thanks to a 'silver goal' to reach the uefa champions league group stage on the back of a 3-2 aggregate triumph.
tight contest ajax, who were a touch fortunate to gain a 1-1 draw in austria a fortnight ago, were made to wait until czech midfield player tomáš galásek struck from the penalty spot a minute from the end of the first period of extra time to settle a tightly-contested tie.
ibrahimovic opener the dutch club took a 15th-minute lead through swedish striker zlatan ibrahimovic, who headed a cross from brazilian midfielder maxwell into the net. roland kollmann, however, levelled in the 40th minute to set up an exciting second half.
pötscher off ajax, quarter-finalists in the competition last season, suffered in defence after the interval while the austrian defence remained firm, despite losing left-back gregor pötscher for a second bookable offence.
galásek penalty soon after the dismissal anton ehmann was also handed a red card after conceding a penalty. galásek calmly converted to settle matters and within a minute the whistle had sounded to bring welcome relief to the four-times former european champions.
