The number of yellow cards already betrays how AZ was in the competition. With Wouter Goes, Mexx Meerdink, Mees de Wit, Peer Koopmeiners and Jordy Clasie, half the team was clear. Clasie even got his second just before time because of a hard block. Mees de Wit also hicked a red card for some time and was changed as a precaution. “We probably could have done that better,” says AZ trainer Maarten Martens.
Special opponent
Only in the initial phase AZ got opportunities via Mexx Meerdink and Sven Mijnans, but it was NEC that the competition dictated. With a characteristic attacking playing style, the Nijmegen residents imposed their will on AZ. “They have many people around the ball when they play the long ball. It’s hard to play if they do well,” says Mijnans about NEC’s playing method.