The life of a striker has many faces, as was evident on Sunday evening in Alkmaar. AZ won quite easily against FC Utrecht 4-1 and Troy Parrott scored twice. Still, the goaltender was disappointed afterwards, because of his missed penalty. “A bit embarrassing, because I could score a hat-trick.”
“Just before I shot, the ball rolled a bit in the wind,” Troy Parrott looks back with a smile on his poorly shot penalty. Normally these kinds of opportunities are for him. For example, last week he used a penalty very convincingly against Ajax. “It’s a bit of a risk when you take them. You can sometimes miss one.”
Excellent match
Despite the failed kick from eleven meters, Parrott can look back on an excellent match. AZ’s top scorer scored the first two goals and provided a lot of energy in the forward attacking line.
In the summer of 2023, Parrott made the move from Excelsior to AZ. In his first season in Alkmaar he scored fourteen league goals and now he has six goals. If you look at all competitions, he has already entered twelve. Trainer Maarten Martens has an explanation for this. “Troy was already at a higher physical level at the start of this season.”
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The main character can identify with himself in these words. “I feel very fit and strong.” In addition, the 23-year-old Irishman indicates that he has become much more clinical in front of goal. “That’s a nice feeling.”
Don’t chase away
When asked whether he will take the next penalty again, Parrott leaves no doubt. “Definitely, because I won’t let this scare me away.”
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With six goals, Parrott is joint second on the top scorers list in the Premier League. The difference with number one Ayase Ueda is quite big. The Feyenoord striker has already scored eleven times. However, it should be noted that Parrott missed five league matches due to injury.
Next weekend Parrott will take on Sparta with AZ. This match at Rotterdam Castle starts on Sunday at 2:30 PM.