Ajax Amsterdam book berth in European club competition

AMSTERDAM, May 24 (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam clinched a berth in European club competition with a penalty ​shootout win over Utrecht in their ‌playoff at neutral Volendam on Sunday. Ajax qualified for the second preliminary round of the Conference League, ​winning 4-3 on penalties after a ​1-1 draw at the end of extra ⁠time. The win puts some gloss on a ​difficult season for the four-time European champions, ​who finished the regular season in fifth place and went into a playoff with three other clubs ​for a spot in continental club competition. Davy ​Klaassen broke the deadlock with a deflected free kick ‌seven ⁠minutes into extra time but Gjivai Zechiel equalised soon after. Penalties from Utrecht’s Sebastian Haller and Souffian El Karouani were saved by ​goalkeeper Maarten ​Paes, while ⁠Ajax flawlessly converted all four penalties taken. Ajax will find out the ​identity of their prospective Conference League ​opponents ⁠when the draw is held on June 17. Should they survive the second preliminary round, ⁠Ajax ​must get through another two ​knockout rounds to qualify for the group phase. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab