Ajax fightback floors Barça
Monday, August 5, 2002
Article summary
AFC Ajax came from behind to beat FC Barcelona 4-3 in the Amsterdam Tournament final.
Article body
Fine comeback
Witschge's strike completed a fine comeback from the Dutch champions who trailed 3-1 before two goals from Raphael van der Vaart levelled the score at 3-3 in the second half. Barcelona dominated the first half with Patrick Kluivert scoring after ten minutes and Javier Saviola adding the first of his two goals shortly before the break. Mido pulled a goal back for Ajax before Saviola restored Barcelona's two-goal cushion.
United claim third place
Barcelona finished second in the tournament after beating Italian side Parma AC on Friday. Manchester United FC recovered from their 2-1 defeat by Ajax to claim third place after beating Parma 3-0 earlier in the evening. Goals from Ryan Giggs, Juan Sebastián Verón and Ole Gunnar Solskjær secured a comfortable victory for the Old Trafford side who were missing the injured Paul Scholes, Ruud van Nistelrooij, Gary Neville and Fabien Barthez.
'An improved performance'
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said afterwards: "The speed of our play tonight made for an improved performance. The pitch was wet, speeding the ball up. It was a small pitch but I felt it improved our performance. I think the players have shown they've come on from Friday's game - we were sharper and more aggressive tonight."
