1972: Cruyff comes good for Ajax
Thursday 28 September 1972
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Ajax dominated European football in the early 1970s (©Getty Images)
CA Independiente 1-1 AFC Ajax
AFC Ajax 3-0 CA Independiente
Ajax win 4-1 on aggregate
AFC Ajax had declined the opportunity to take part in the 1971 European/South American Cup, but were rewarded for their decision to compete in 1972 after claiming a two-legged victory against CA Independiente, with Johan Cruyff at the heart of things.
Contrasting fortunes
In the first leg in Argentina Cruyff put the Dutch side – who had won the second of three successive European Champion Clubs' Cups earlier in 1972 – ahead after just five minutes but was then forced off the pitch following a challenge from Dante Mircoli. Coach Stefán Kovács managed to refocus his players for the second half, and while Francisco ‘Pancho' Sá struck to level the tie towards the end, the Dutch side remained in a strong position to become the second Eredivisie team in three years to lift the intercontinental title following Feyenoord's victory in 1970.
Fearsome performance
Undaunted by his injury in the first leg, Cruyff returned to the starting lineup for the return as Independiente came to Amsterdam, and while the stunningly talented midfielder failed to score himself, he left his mark on a one-sided encounter. A goal from Johan Neeskens and two more for Johnny Rep were no more than Kovács' rampaging side deserved for a scintillating attacking performacence.
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