Normally they have to prevent goals, but today they scored the goals. Defenders Sam Beukema and Yukinari Sugawara, who was drafted as a right winger, took care of the Alkmaar goals. A goal in the final phase by former player Ben Rienstra could not change that: 1-2.
Beukema replaced the injured Bruno Martins Indi. The first danger from the home side came after a tight free kick by Zian Flemming. Goalkeeper Peter Vindahl turned the bet and he would do so more often in the first half. After fifteen minutes, Beukema made his first goal for AZ on a pass from Owen Wijndal. That was not the only reason to celebrate, because that goal was AZ’s 2500th in the Eredivisie.
Watch Beukema’s anniversary goal below:
Despite the lead, the relegation candidate Fortuna had three big chances before halftime. Vindahl saved a shot from former AZ player Mats Seuntjens and Flemming’s header ended on the crossbar. Just before half time, the Danish goalkeeper appeared to be an obstacle again by stopping a shot by Seuntjens. So the hosts had the better chances, but Vindahl got the Alkmaarders through this difficult period.
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Sugawara strikes
In the second half, the saves led to the desired result, after ‘occasional right winger’ Yukinari Sugawara doubled the margin after fumbling at Fortuna. The Japanese received the ball after pressure from Dani de Wit and shot the ball into the goal: 0-2. Just before that, the Alkmaarders had already become dangerous through Jesper Karlsson after a deep pass by Pantelis Hatzidiakos. His bet was turned around by Michael Verrips.
A hard shot by Fredrik Midtsjø was also saved a few minutes later by Verrips. In the final phase, Seuntjens got his greatest chance of the game. He stood out against the far post, but shot the ball high over the goal. In the end, another former player of AZ, Ben Rienstra, ensured that Fortuna Sittard made the connection goal: 1-2. Tijjani Noslin also had a great opportunity, but the Amsterdammer was unable to take advantage of it.
Coming Wednesday, AZ will play in the KNVB Cup against FC Twente, which Feyenoord eliminated in the previous round.
AZ setup: Vindahl; Witry (Evjen/65), Beukema, Hatzidiakos, Wijndal; Clasie (Reijnders/ 80), Midtsjø, De Wit; Sugawara, Pavlidis (Gudmundsson/80) , Karlsson
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