Maarten Paes Starts as Ajax Amsterdam Reach UEFA Conference League Play-Offs
Indonesia international goalkeeper Maarten Paes helped Ajax Amsterdam reach the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League.
Head coach Michel trusted Paes to start in the second leg of Ajax’s third qualifying round tie against Irish side Shelbourne at Tolka Park Stadium in the early hours of Friday (14/8) WIB.
Ajax and Shelbourne played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, but Ajax secured their place in the Conference League play-offs with a 5-3 aggregate victory after winning the first leg 3-1.
Although he was unable to keep a clean sheet, Paes delivered a solid performance. According to SofaScore, the 28-year-old made three crucial saves during the match.
The appearance marked Paes’ fourth game for Ajax in the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds. The goalkeeper had previously made two appearances against FK Vojvodina and another against Shelbourne.
In the play-off round, Ajax will face Swiss side FC Sion in a two-legged tie.
Paes will now have to continue proving himself between the posts, with competition for the starting spot set to intensify after Ajax recently signed Marc-Andre ter Stegen from FC Barcelona on loan.
