Everything Vangelis Pavlidis touches at AZ this season turns into gold. The Greek striker scored a hat-trick against SC Heerenveen tonight and helped the Alkmaarders to a 3-0 victory. Pavlidis thus equals Johan Cruijff’s record by scoring in the first nine competition matches.
The Alkmaarders knew in advance that they had to beat Heerenveen to stay in the wake of leader PSV, which won against Fortuna Sittard (3-1) earlier in the evening. The Alkmaarders started the match convincingly against the Frisians, who had not won six matches in six matches.
Record Pavlidis
AZ took the lead through super striker Vangelis Pavlidis. The Greek striker eagerly caught a falling ball, made an action and shot the ball through Thom Haye’s leg behind Heerenveen goalie Andries Noppert: 1-0.
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In the following phase, the match entered calm waters and that caused some grumbling from the stands. Heerenveen had a few more chances towards the end of the first half through Thom Haye. The former AZ player shot a free kick onto the hands of goalkeeper Mathew Ryan and then tried again with a ball from outside the box. AZ had to be careful not to play football to itself.
After the break, coach Pascal Jansen’s team performed considerably better. The Alkmaarders played football at a higher pace and the good play also spread to the stands. Fully deserved, Pavlidis also scored his second of the evening. He received a high cross from the side, took it and convincingly scored his twelfth goal of the season.
Hat trick
Halfway through the second half, Jansen chose to give a number of permanent staff some rest. Jordy Clasie, Mayckel Lahdo and Myron van Brederode left in time. The pace then slowed down a bit and Heerenveen had now buried the hatchet. Nevertheless, AZ scored the third goal fifteen minutes before the end. After a long period of possession, Yukinari Sugawara neatly pulled the ball ahead of Pavlidis, who checked and then coolly scored his third goal of the evening: 3-0.
A beautiful European evening awaits AZ next Thursday. The Alkmaarders will then host Aston Villa in the group stage of the Conference League. Kick-off in North Holland will take place at 6.45 pm.
Line-up A-Z: Ryan; Sugawara (Kasius/79), Bazoer, Penetra, Moller Wolfe, Clasie (Dantas/65), Mijnans, De Wit; Lahdo (Poku/65), Pavlidis (Odgaard/79), Van Brederode (Sadiq/65)