Ajax ended their 2014-15 Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion as they thumped APOEL 4-0 in Wednesday's Group F clash at the Amsterdam ArenA.
The visitors failed to get a single shot on target in the 90 minutes as the hosts ran riot through Lasse Schone's brace and a goal apiece for Davy Klaassen and Arkadiusz Milik.
Frank de Boer's charges go into the Europa League following tonight's win, which sees them finish third in the group, while the Cypriots have to make do with ending their campaign bottom.
Here, Sports Mole analyses all the action from the game.
Match statistics
AJAX
Shots: 20
On target: 8
Possession: 70%
Corners: 6
Fouls: 9
APOEL
Shots: 5
On target: 0
Possession: 30%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 8
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. Ajax were intent on getting a win, and they delivered in emphatic fashion. Despite a few forays into the final third from APOEL, that they were unable to muster a single shot on target sums up the game they had tonight. They were second best in every category, and had little answer to the hosts' swashbuckling, incisive, fast-paced play.
Ajax's performance
Frank de Boer's charges were utterly dominant. Goalkeeper Jasper Cillissen was not tested once all game - the only moment of note came when he attempted a dummy in front of his goal while two APOEL players were bearing down on him, and even then he got away with it. The defence was steadfast, while the midfield and attack were firing on all cylinders. Ajax could have had more, in all fairness.
APOEL's performance
APOEL weren't necessarily bad tonight, but they were no match for Ajax. When a team is so intent on victory, is playing at home and boasts so much talent, it's hard to cope. Urko Pardo had a decent display in goal, though he could have done better on the third and fourth goals, but the defence was caught out one too many times. Though the midfield did well and was the best APOEL unit on the field, it was to little avail as the strikers were misfiring so badly.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Ricardo Kishna: Put simply, the 19-year-old Dutchman was unplayable tonight. His displays on the left wing, weaving and gliding past defenders with ease, were simply dazzling to watch. He was also skilled when it came to delivering balls, causing havoc time and time again with his crosses. He is one to watch for the future.
Biggest gaffe
Towards the end of the game, Cillessen got himself into a spot of bother after attempting a dummy two yards from goal with two APOEL players bearing down on him. The Dutch international managed to clear it into touch, but it was a nervy moment. Not that it would have had any bearing on the game, mind.
Referee performance
Carlos Velasco Carballo had a relatively trouble-free game, with very little untoward happening. APOEL were unhappy with the penalty given to Lasse Schone after Marios Antoniades's tackle in the box at the end of the first half, but it may have just been frustration on their part, for it appeared a definite penalty.
What next?
Ajax: The Dutch giants welcome FC Utrecht to the Amsterdam ArenA in the Eredivisie this coming Sunday.
APOEL The Cypriot League leaders play host to AEK in the First Division on Monday evening.
Giuseppe Labellarte
