SOCCEROO Luke Wilkshire believes FC Twente can book a historic first ever appearance in the Champions League ahead of their two-legged play-off final against Ajax.
Twente finished the Eredivisie in fourth place, but have been afforded the opportunity to go for a place in Europe's premier club competition by virtue of Holland's play-off system.
The Enschede club completed a convincing 8-1 aggregate victory against NAC Breda to confirm their place in the decisive tie and boast excellent form ahead of Saturday's first leg having gone unbeaten in 10 games.
And Wilkshire, who joined the club from Bristol City two seasons ago, believes they can continue their winning ways and deny Ajax a place in a competition they won in 1995.
"We have got two big games coming up and an opportunity to get into the Champions League," the Australia international said.
"At the start of the season everyone was aiming for a UEFA Cup place, which we have now secured, so the Champions League is a bit of a bonus for the club.
"I've been here two seasons and they have been great seasons for the club so if we can manage to do something and get into the Champions League it would be a result."
He added: "Head to head we drew 2-2 with them away and then beat them at home 2-1 so we have a good record against them.
"I think we are the only team they haven't beaten this year. We are in good form; over the last 10 games we have won nine and drawn one. We will go into the game confident, but it's two games of football so anything can happen."
PSV Eindhoven have already booked their place in next season's champions league after they clinched the Eredivisie on the final day of the season.
And while most observers would expect a team with Ajax's European pedigree to follow PSV into the competition, Wilkshire is determined to upset the odds.
"The league has been dominated by the likes of Ajax and PSV for years, but over the last couple of years Twente have started to be amongst it and this is an opportunity to break that mould and we have every chance," he said.
"We have got two games before we can look at who we might get in the Champions League. But the whole idea of getting in the Champions League is playing in the big games."
The Enschede club completed a convincing 8-1 aggregate victory against NAC Breda to confirm their place in the decisive tie and boast excellent form ahead of Saturday's first leg having gone unbeaten in 10 games.
And Wilkshire, who joined the club from Bristol City two seasons ago, believes they can continue their winning ways and deny Ajax a place in a competition they won in 1995.
"We have got two big games coming up and an opportunity to get into the Champions League," the Australia international said.
"At the start of the season everyone was aiming for a UEFA Cup place, which we have now secured, so the Champions League is a bit of a bonus for the club.
"I've been here two seasons and they have been great seasons for the club so if we can manage to do something and get into the Champions League it would be a result."
He added: "Head to head we drew 2-2 with them away and then beat them at home 2-1 so we have a good record against them.
"I think we are the only team they haven't beaten this year. We are in good form; over the last 10 games we have won nine and drawn one. We will go into the game confident, but it's two games of football so anything can happen."
PSV Eindhoven have already booked their place in next season's champions league after they clinched the Eredivisie on the final day of the season.
And while most observers would expect a team with Ajax's European pedigree to follow PSV into the competition, Wilkshire is determined to upset the odds.
"The league has been dominated by the likes of Ajax and PSV for years, but over the last couple of years Twente have started to be amongst it and this is an opportunity to break that mould and we have every chance," he said.
"We have got two games before we can look at who we might get in the Champions League. But the whole idea of getting in the Champions League is playing in the big games."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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