FC Groningen is briefly shocked by Jong AZ, but then waltzes over the Alkmaarders: 4-1

After the resounding 0-5 in Alkmaar, FC Groningen was also a class better than Jong AZ at home, although the North Hollanders gave the Euroborg a bit of a scare.

Blokzijl in the base after all

Thijmen Blokzijl was allowed to continue his good performance in Amsterdam. Due to a minor injury that Leandro Bacuna sustained during Thursday training, the young Groningen player was nevertheless given a starting spot by trainer Dick Lukkien. Marco Rente took over the right back position, Blokzijl took Rente’s place in the center.

But Blokzijl apparently needed some time to get back into the initial phase. Because where the first shot came from AZ, FC Groningen logically took the initiative and two one-twos between Jorg Schreuders and Thom van Bergen seemed promising, but failed due to inaccuracies.

Poku sends two men into the forest

The first time that Jong AZ really became dangerous, it was an immediate hit. Ernest Poku, one of the greatest AZ talents, showed off some of his brilliance. With an unparalleled solo, he left first Rente and then Blokzijl standing as if the Groningen defenders were wooden blocks. Then he shot hard past Hidde Jurjus: 0-1.

Of course, the question was how FC Groningen would react to that unexpected setback. The answer came quickly: excellent. FC Groningen was now on top of the games, gave little away and combined happily.

Almost a magnificent goal from Prins

That resulted in an opportunity for Romano Postema, who seemed to be knocked down by Lewis Schouten in the penalty area, but referee Blank was on top of it and waved away his appeal.

Shortly afterwards, Wouter Prins gracefully curled a free kick from the side of the penalty area onto the post with his left foot: that kick deserved to become a magnificent goal, but alas.

Wandering Schreuders

It was also palpable throughout Euroborg: this is going to work out. After a few more pinpricks that yielded nothing, with a noticeably wandering Schreuders, who kept seeing Rente looming in his place on the right, the ball was already in the right side for the FC eight minutes after the 0-1.

Now Blokzijl gave the deep ball, Wouter Prins crossed and Johan Hove shot in the equalizer with the right from close range, via AZ keeper Kiyani Zeggen, who recently played with the Netherlands Under-18 at the Langeleegte in Veendam: 1-1.

Now a penalty

Groningen continued to press and got the reward four minutes later. Now Schreuders shot from outside the 16 meters and saw his ball touched by a Jong AZ hand. Blank now gave a penalty and it was convincingly shot in by Postema: 2-1.

Poku, the troublemaker who shook up the FC, remained in the dressing room at half-time and was replaced by Damienus Reverson.

Angel out at Jong AZ

This also took the sting out of the poor attacking game of the Alkmaarders, who shot on target once more in the second half. FC Groningen could keep going, kept doing so with energy. Postema scored with the left foot on a pass from Thom van Bergen to make it 3-1. Van Bergen rewarded another energetic performance with the 4-1.

Lukkien then let Rui Mendes make his debut at his new club. He didn’t score, but Kristian Lien almost did, after a nice combination with another substitute, Tika de Jonge. The Norwegian’s shot, in the last minute, went wide.

With the 4-1 win, FC Groningen was able to record its thirteenth match without a defeat. Lukkien’s team also climbed to fifth place in the rankings of the Kitchen Champion Division. Thanks to Roda JC’s draw against Jong FC Utrecht, the gap with second place is six points and FC Groningen has a match in hand compared to the Limburgers.