Ajax Amsterdam all but sealed qualification for the Europa League groups after beating Bulgarian champions Ludogorets (Razgrad) 4-1 away from home in the first leg of the play-offs.

Ludogorets – Ajax Amsterdam 1-4, Europa League playoffs

The Dutch played a perfect first half, crowned by a double from Mohammed Qudous (16th and 18th minutes) and a goal from Brobby in the 40th minute.

In the second half, Kudus scored a hat-trick in the 50th minute, and Verdon scored an honorary Bulgarian goal from a penalty in the 70th minute.

The surprise team of this season’s Eurocups, Klaksik from the Faroe Islands, drew with Faro’s former rivals Sherif from Tiraspol, and the qualification will be decided in a week’s time.

Today’s Europa League playoff results

Hacken – Aberdeen 2-2

Slavia Prague – Zorya 2-0

Dinamo Zagreb – Sparta Prague 3-1

Ludogorets – Ajax Amsterdam 1-4

Olympia Ljubljana – Karabakh 0-2

Royal Union – Lugano 2-0

Slavic Bratislava – Aris Limassol 2-1

Klaxvik – Sherif Tiraspol 1-1

LASK Linz – Zrynski 2-1

Olympiakos Piraeus – Chukarytskyi 3-1