Ajax take control of Shelbourne tie with 3-1 home win

Ajax secured a 3-1 victory over Shelbourne in the first leg of their Conference League third qualifying-round tie at the Johan Cruijff ArenA. The Amsterdam side dominated the Irish visitors but failed to turn their superiority into a more decisive advantage before next week’s return in Dublin.

Mika Godts opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Owen Wijndal doubled the lead, converting after Steven Berghuis found the left-back. Shelbourne had not registered a shot on target or a touch inside the Ajax penalty area by half-time, while the hosts also passed up opportunities to extend their lead.

Kasper Dolberg made it 3-0 shortly after the interval from another Berghuis delivery. Ajax continued to create chances, but Godts missed a second penalty and Berghuis, Wijndal and substitute Marcos Leonardo were among those unable to add another goal. Shelbourne then struck late to reduce the deficit and give the return leg a little more tension.

New signings Marc-André ter Stegen, Julian Brandt, Caio Henrique and Leonardo all began on the bench. Brandt later made his Ajax debut and created an opening for Leonardo, whose effort went wide. If Ajax complete the job in Dublin, they will face either FC Noah or FC Sion in the final qualifying round; the first meeting between those sides ended 2-2. Before the return, Míchel’s team open their Eredivisie season away to PEC Zwolle on Sunday.