Manchester City did not have an easy game against Ajax. The Dutch club learned a lot from their match against Bayern Munich on MD1 at the [World Sevens Football Tournament](https://womenfootball.blog/world-sevens-tournament-information-teams-and-where-to-watch/). Ajax fought back to 2-2, pushing City to extra time and eventually sudden death penalties.
Manchester City and Ajax started the game with neither side taking too much risk. Ajax were determined to avoid another 4-2 defeat, while Man City lacked the tempo they had in the first game.
Kerolin scored her third of the World Sevens Football tournament after breaking through on goal – way too fast for Kardinaal to keep up with. The Dutch club immediately tried to pull one back but Coombs’s solid defending cut out a dangerous cross.
City nearly doubled their lead in the 9th minute when Park fired on goal, her shot caught a deflection and hit the post. Ajax created promising attacks, especially with Keukelaar and Yohannes on the pitch, but could not quite connect in the final third.
Manchester City jumped straight back into the action as Jess Park doubled their lead, dribbling past several played before slotting the ball into the net. Ajax had a chance to get on the scoresheet when Yohannes was fouled in the box by Keating, earning the Dutch side the second penalty of the tournament. Yohannes stepped up and converted it confidently.
With just five minutes left to equalize, Ajax seemed unlikely to find the net again. But in the 29th minute, a poor clearance from Keating and good work from Noordman levelled the teams – heading for 5 minutes of extra time.
In the extra time the rules change slightly: the game becomes 5v5, there are no substitutions and whoever scores first, wins (Golden Goal Format).
The format forced the teams to be more cautions. The first big chance fell to Fujino with a long distance shot but Van Eijk made the save. Next, Lily Yohannes was sent through on goal, but Coombs intercepted her twice, denying her a shot on goal. Jess Park had a good opportunity but the five minutes ran out – meaning sudden death penalties were next.
* Lily Yohannes stepped up for the first penalty and scored.
* Kerolin scored Man City’s first penalty.
* Kardinaal netted Ajax’s second.
* Coombs’ ball went in off the post.
* Noordam scored her penalty
* Fujino scored.
* Van Egmond scored
* Jess Park scored
* Keating saved van Eijk’s penalty.
* Keating’s spot kick struck the post.
The Manchester City goalkeeper thought she secured the win by scoring her penalty but her effort struck the post, so the series started again.
Yohannes and Kerolin scored their penalties but Kardinaal’s was denied by the post. Coombs had the opportunity to secure the win and she did. Manchester City earned the point.