Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert praised Ajax’s performance and acknowledged the importance of their first-leg victory in sealing their spot in the next round.
Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday despite a 1-1 draw at home to Ajax, while Lyon also progressed after brushing aside Benfica in France.
Mayra Ramirez put Chelsea into a first-half lead on her European club debut before Chasity Grant equalized for Ajax in the second half.
Chelsea prevailed 4-1 on aggregate following a 3-0 win in the first leg in Amsterdam.
“Ajax did really well, they came out as we expected them to,” said Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert. “Small margins in football, we could have put a little bit more away, give ourselves a bit more breathing room, but the job was really done in the first leg”.
Ajax nearly took the lead in the opening 20 minutes when goalkeeper Zecira Musovic had her clearance charged down by Tiny Hoekstra, but the ball rolled against the post and went agonizingly wide.
Just after the half-hour mark, Ramirez opened her Champions League account with a composed finish after being set free by Guro Reiten.
Now four goals to the good, Emma Hayes’ side looked set to cruise into the final four.
Grant put a dampener on the night for Chelsea when she ran on to Hoekstra’s through ball and her slightly scuffed finish squirmed its way through Musovic. — AFP
