Ajax holds AC Milan 1-1 in Champions League

Posted Wednesday, September 29, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

AMSTERDAM (AP)—Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored against his former club to help AC Milan salvage a 1-1 draw against Ajax on Tuesday in Group G of the Champions League.

Ajax captain Luis Suarez gave the host the lead in the 23rd minute, darting past Alessandro Nesta after playing a one-two with Urby Emanuelson on the left flank before providing a cross for Mounir El Hamdaoui, who calmly slotted in from close range.

But former Ajax stars Clarence Seedorf and Ibrahimovic marked their return to the Amsterdam Arena by combining to snatch an equalizer in the 37th.

Milan has four points after two rounds while Ajax has one.

“I am pleased with the result,” Ibrahimovic said. “Yes, I am scoring but my teammates are helping me. It’s important to get the points.”

Ajax took the initiative to attack five minutes into the game as Emanuelson fired a low shot from the edge of the area after exchanging some crisp passes with Suarez, only for Milan goalkeeper Christian Abbiati to make a save.

Suarez was next to test Abbiati five minutes later, drilling a 25-yard(meter) volley over the bar.

Milan responded in the 15th when Robinho received Seedorf’s diagonal pass but Maarten Stekelenburg made a sprawling save to keep Ajax in the game.

Ajax came inches (centimeters) away from taking the lead when Suarez’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar in the 17th.

Continued attempts to unlock the Milan defense resulted in the game’s opening goal as Emanuelson fed Suarez, who passed a flat-footed Nesta and directed his cross into the path of El Hamdaoui. The ball evaded the Milan defense and El Hamdaoui simply tucked it past Abbiati

“I think we played a really good game and we deserved to win,” El Hamdaoui said. “Don’t forget we were playing a well-organized team.”

“It was a difficult game,” Seedorf said. “We expected it to be tough. I think a draw is a fair result.”

Seedorf presented Robinho with a chance to level in the 29th but he sent his shot wide when he came face to face with Stekelenburg.

“It was a difficult game,” Seedorf said. “We expected it to be tough. I think a draw is a fair result.”

Ibrahimovic then leveled, simply slicing the ball into the net from a Seedorf cross.

Suarez, enjoying some acres of space, nearly punished the Milan defense seven minutes into the second half but Abbiati was attentive to block his strike.

Ajax’s excellent midfield play restricted Milan to only a handful of chances in the second half, and Stekelenburg denied substitute Kevin Prince Boateng with a point-blank save four minutes from time.