The Dutch side took the advantage from the Croatian side in a hard fought match which saw few chances for either team as their look to progress into the groups stages of the UEFA Cup competition.

Dinamo Zagreb manager Branko Ivankovic must be disappointed that his side could not turn home advantage into a lead to take to Ajax after 30 000 fans filled the Maksimir Stadium in expectation. The Dutch side managed by Henk Ten Cate just had too many quality players in their team which made the task difficult to break them down. Players such as Japp stam have a great deal of experience in European competition and this all adds up in these tight games.

The turning point came when Dane Dennis Rommedahl managed to go around the Zagreb keeper Georg Koch to score what would be the winning goal after being played in by fellow striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar after an hour of play. With a crucial away goal Ajax will feel confident of the return match at the Amsterdam Arena in a few weeks time.

They will of course be aware that the game is also there to be lost as well as the Croatian side managed by Branko Ivankovic will still realise that if they can score a single goal this may give them the impetuous to go on and win the match. Overall with the game as finely balanced it should be an entertaining live football match to watch.