It didn’t go well, but the first three-pointer is in for AZ. Between the double meeting with Dundee United in the Conference League, the Alkmaarders had trouble with Go Ahead Eagles. Goals by Vangelis Pavlidis and starting debutant Myron van Brederode were enough for the victory: 2-0.
Before the competition, 70-year-old Kees Kist was put in the spotlight. The AZ legend saw that the Alkmaarders were very battered and created few opportunities. Among others, Jesper Karlsson, Jens Odgaard, Zinho Vanheusden and Riechedly Bazoer were missing. The first dangerous moment was for Vangelis Pavlidis, his header lacked power.
That was the starting signal for a better phase for the Alkmaarders, because Dani de Wit got a huge chance. He shot hard at goalkeeper Jeffrey de Lange from three meters in front of the goal. Then it was again De Wit who created danger with a header. Tijjani Reijnders tested De Lange with a long shot. In the injury time, AZ could breathe a sigh of relief after Bas Kuipers headed the ball close to Hobie Verhulst.
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Soon after the break, Pavlidis had a big chance, by escaping offside. Jamal Amofa just managed to stop him from scoring. After shots from Hakon Evjen (just wide of goal) and Pavlidis, the Greek was able to cheer. A cross from substitute Aslak Fonn Witry headed Pavlis against the ropes: 1-0.
In the final phase, Dani de Wit was not allowed to complain after an elbow strike at José Fontán. Referee Allard Lindhout was called to the side by the VAR, but gave a yellow card. Basic debutant Myron van Brederode closed the game for five minutes. He scored from a cross by substitute Mayckel Lahdo: 2-0.
AZ setup: concealed; Hatzidiakos (Witry/62), Beukema, Martins Indi, Kerkez (M. de Wit/62); Reijnders, Clasie, D. De Wit (Koopmeiners/90); Evjen (Lahdo/84), Pavlidis (Barasi/84), Van Brederode