AZ has drawn its first exhibition game of the season today. The team of trainer Pascal Jansen received Shakhtar Donetsk in Dirkshorn. Partly thanks to goals from Mees de Wit, Yusuf Barasi and acquisition Ruben van Bommel, it eventually became 3-3.
AZ took office without its internationals. As a result, the spectators at the well-stocked sports park of VV Dirkshorn could not catch a glimpse of Tijjani Reijnders, Jesper Karlsson and Milos Kerkez, among others. On the other hand, many young players such as Kees Smit and Lewis Schouten were given the opportunity by coach Pascal Jansen to show themselves.
On the woodwork
After nine minutes it was AZ’s eleven who struck first. An attack over the left eventually ended up with Jens Odgaard, who shot the ball on the crossbar. Fortunately for the Danish attacker, he received support from Mees de Wit. The left back who came along hit the rebound for the opening goal.
However, AZ could not enjoy the lead for long. Less than ten minutes later, Oleksandr Zubkov was served with a beautiful deep pass by his captain Yaroslav Rakitskyi. Zubkov shot the ball behind AZ goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst with some difficulty.
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In the second half, AZ shot out of the starting blocks and within three minutes the Alkmaarders were already ahead. A corner from Kenzo Goudmijn was nodded in by Yusuf Barasi. However, the reigning national champion of Ukraine did not waste any time and after the first opportunity it was already 2-2. Defender Valeriy Bondar headed a spinning free kick into the ropes.
Score on debut
AZ often went on the attack with the trio Ruben van Bommel, Kenzo Goudmijn and Jason Addai in front. Halfway through the second half, Van Bommel ensured that AZ took the lead for the third time this game. The newcomer shot the ball behind the unfortunate goalkeeper from about twenty meters, via a Ukrainian leg: 3-2.
But just as AZ took the lead three times, Shakhtar also managed to come alongside for a third time in a row. The Venezuelan striker Kevin Kelsy shot one on one with Verhulst hitting the ball hard in the goal. Both teams failed to score more than three goals each.
Later on this website will follow the reactions with Pascal Jansen and the brand new AZ acquisition Denzo Kasius.
Line-up AZ first half: disguised; M. de Wit, Goes, Schouten, Smit; D. de Wit, Clasie, Kwakman; Van Brederode, Poku, Odgaard (Barasi/10)
Line-up AZ second half: disguised; Kasius, Tribe, Bazoer, Esasjas; Neighborhood master, Gold mine, Koopmeiners; Van Bommel, Barasi (D. de Wit/60), Addai