Young AZ will quickly want to forget the first competitive match against FC Groningen. At a well-filled Sportpark Kalverhoek the score was 0-5 for the visitors. It was only the second defeat at home for the youngsters after the earlier loss against Willem II (0-2).
Many of Jong AZ’s usual players were missing due to Tuesday afternoon’s Youth League match against Molde FK. Jayden Addai and Ernest Poku were also not present, because they participated in the first against FC Volendam on Sunday (3-0 win). It meant that trainer Jan Sierksma had to improvise in his starting line-up. He moved away from the usual 4-3-3 and went for a 5-3-2 with Jurre van Aken and Finn Stam on the flanks.
The start of the AZ youngsters was very bad and they looked awkward under the formation change. FC Groningen struck immediately at one of the first threats. Jorg Schreuders scored the opening goal on a pass from Thomas van Bergen. The course of the first half was characterized by bumbling in AZ’s defense. Although Groningen was only able to expand the score once. Marvin Peersman headed a corner towards the AZ goal, after which Luciano Valente gave the final push from close range: 0-2.
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After half a half, Sierksma had seen enough fumbling and brought Mischa Engel (who formed the heart of the defense with Wouter Goes and Maxim Dekker) to the side. Nick Koster was his replacement and Jong AZ opted for a 4-3-3. That did not have the desired result, as Valente was able to move freely towards the AZ goal. However, the goalscorer did not have his sights on focus and shot high.
Romano Postema scored the third Groningen goal from the turn, to the delight of the away fans. The evening became even more painful two minutes later after a goal by Radinio Balker. Van Bergen also made 0-5 in the final phase. In the final phase, Ricuenio Kewal had a great chance, but it was not taken.
A number of youngsters will play against the Norwegian Molde FK tomorrow afternoon at 5 p.m. Jong AZ will be in action again on Friday evening, MVV will be the opponent in Maastricht.
Jong AZ line-up: Owusu-Oduro; Van Aken, Goes (Kerssens/63), Dekker, Engel (Koster/46), Stam; Postma (Kalisvaart/91), Dekkers (Berkhout/77), Reverson; Kewal, Meerdink