Ajax will remain in European competition in the New Year, following their 3-1 Europa League home win over AEK Athens. The win means Ajax ended in third place in Group B and will so move down to the Conference League.

Steven Bergwijn was out of the Dutch side through injury was replaced by Jorrel Hato, who is 17 and who became the youngest man to captain Ajax in a European game.

“We had some important players that could not play today,” said Ajax coach John van ‘t Schip after the game. “The ones who came in did a really good job. I think the average age was about 21. Playing in these kind of games is what helps them mature. And we really worked hard as a team.”

There was trouble at Wesperzijde metro station ahead of the game and riot police were drafted in to restore order. In total, 147 people were arrested, all but seven of whom were Ajax supporters, the Parool reported.

AZ of Alkmaar, however, are out of the Conference League, after losing 2-0 at home to Legia Warsaw. They finished third in Group E.

The end of the group stage in European competition leaves three clubs in action after the winter break. PSV move into the knock out round of the Champions League, Feyenoord are demoted to the Europa League and Ajax play an intermediary round to move into the Conference competition.