AMSTERDAM, May 24 (Reuters) - ⁠Ajax Amsterdam clinched a berth in European ⁠club competition with a penalty shootout ‌win over Utrecht in their playoff at neutral Volendam on Sunday.

Ajax qualified for the second preliminary round of the ​Conference League, winning 4-3 on ⁠penalties after a 1-1 ⁠draw at the end of extra time.

The win ⁠puts ‌some gloss on a difficult season for the four-time European champions, who ⁠finished the regular season in fifth place ​and went ‌into a playoff with three other clubs ⁠for a ​spot in continental club competition.

Davy Klaassen broke the deadlock with a deflected free kick seven minutes ⁠into extra time but Gjivai ​Zechiel equalised soon after.

Penalties from Utrecht’s Sebastian Haller and Souffian El Karouani were saved by goalkeeper ⁠Maarten Paes, while Ajax flawlessly converted all four penalties taken.

Ajax will find out the identity of their prospective Conference League opponents when the ​draw is held on June ⁠17.

Should they survive the second preliminary round, ​Ajax must get through another ‌two knockout rounds to qualify ​for the group phase.

(Writing by Mark Gleeson in Rabat; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)