Ajax and FC Twente draws limit Dutch UEFA coefficient gains
Both clubs reached the Conference League play-offs, but dropped points left the Netherlands with a reduced return in the UEFA country ranking.
Ajax and FC Twente both advanced to the Conference League play-off round on Thursday, but their draws cost the Netherlands valuable ground in the UEFA coefficient ranking. Ajax conceded shortly before full-time to draw 2-2 with Shelbourne in Ireland, having led 2-1.
Twente also needed a late intervention in their 3-3 draw with Slovak side DAC 1904. Marko Pjaca scored the equaliser in added time, ensuring the Enschede club progressed despite failing to record a victory.
The two results contributed 0.166 coefficient points to the Dutch total. Wins for both Ajax and Twente would have doubled that return. NEC limited the damage earlier in the week by beating Olympiakos on Tuesday in their pursuit of a Champions League place, giving the Netherlands 0.333 points from a possible 0.500 across the week.
The Netherlands remain eighth in the UEFA country ranking with 51.895 points, behind Belgium on 58.150 and Portugal on 63.850. Regaining sixth place is particularly important because that position brings two direct Champions League places. The Netherlands had occupied sixth since mid-2022 but lost it to Portugal in January, while Turkey sit ninth on 47.975.
Reported first by
- Ajax en FC Twente teleurstellen: coëfficiëntenlijst in gevaar | De Telegraaf— Telegraaf Voetbal
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