Ajax hammer Besiktas 4-0 in Europa League opener

ANKARA

Dutch powerhouse Ajax hammered Turkish Super Lig club Besiktas 4-0 in the league phase opener of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Ajax midfielder Kian Fitz-Jim netted with a low shot from close range to bring the lead to the hosts in the 31st minute at Amsterdam's Johan Cruijff ArenA.

Besiktas midfielder Moatasem Al-Musrati's long shot missed the Ajax goal with inches over the bar in the 36th minute.

Ajax forward Mika Godts made a comfortable finish one-on-one with the Besiktas goalkeeper in the box and made it 2-0 in the 51st minute.

Just two minutes later, Ajax forward Bertrand Traore aimed his shot to the crossbar.

Following a good exchange of passes with his teammates, Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor's shot from outside of the box went in in the 55th minute.

Godts tallied another one from inside the box in the 73rd minute.

With this result, Ajax moved to the top of the league phase standings with 3 points and a goal difference.

Europa League's League Phase Results:

Malmo - Rangers: 0-2

Fenerbahce - Union St.Gilloise: 2-1

Roma - Athletic Club: 1-1

Eintracht Frankfurt - Viktoria Plzen: 3-3

Braga - Maccabi Tel Aviv: 2-1

FCSB - Rigas: 4-1

Lyon - Olympiacos: 2-0

Ajax - Besiktas: 4-0