AZ was defeated on Thursday in the first leg against Dundee United in the third preliminary round of the Conference League. The team of coach Pascal Jansen lost 1-0 in Scotland.
Glenn Middleton scored the only goal of the game after just over an hour of play. The battered AZ played moderately in the first half and created few opportunities throughout the match. In the final phase Vangelis Pavlidis was still close to the equalizer.
The return between AZ and Dundee United will take place in Alkmaar next Thursday. The winner of the diptych qualifies for the play-offs. In this the Latvian Riga FC or the Portuguese Gil Vicente is the opponent. Those two teams drew 1-1 in Latvia on Wednesday.
In the run-up to the return against Dundee United, AZ will first start the new Eredivisie season. The Alkmaarders will play at home against Go Ahead Eagles next Sunday.
Dundee United celebrate Glenn Middleton’s goal.
Dundee United celebrate Glenn Middleton’s goal. Photo: Getty Images
AZ misses Karlsson, Odgaard and Bazoer
In Scotland, AZ had to do without the injured Jesper Karlsson, Yukinari Sugawara, Jens Odgaard, Zinho Vanheusden and Peer Koopmeiners. Brand new acquisition Riechedly Bazoer was also not available due to illness.
At the packed Tannadice Park it was a long wait for the first chance of the match. It was in the twentieth minute for Dundee United, but Craig Sibbald saw his shot turned by Hobie Verhulst. AZ barely got out before half-time and only created some danger through Mayckel Lahdo, who headed straight into the hands of Mark Birighitti.
AZ started the second half a lot better and had a chance at the 0-1 via Pavlidis, who shot wide. The visitors insisted, but the opening goal fell on the other side in the 61st minute. Middleton curled the ball from the edge of the box into the far corner.
AZ then went on the hunt for the equalizer, but Jansen’s team was continuously chased by Dundee. Pavlidis was close to 1-1 in the final phase, but his shot was turned by former NAC goalkeeper Birighitti.