AZ beats FC Twente in a boring duel and qualifies for the quarterfinals of the KNVB cup

Pantelis Hatzidiakos dropped out injured during the warm-up. Hakon Evjen was his replacement. Trainer Pascal Jansen had to move a bit: Yukinari Sugawara became right back and Aslak Fonn Witry moved to the central position in the back. AZ started the game well, had 77 percent of the ball and had chances via Dani de Wit and Vangelis Pavlidis, but their shots were too weak.

At the end of the first half, a goal by Jesper Karlsson was wrongly disallowed for alleged offside. In the cup tournament, a VAR is only available from the quarter-finals, so that the mistake could not be rectified.

fumbling

AZ started the second half dramatically. Goalkeeper Peter Vindahl blundered and caused a penalty. Ricky van Wolfswinkel took advantage of that opportunity: 1-0. Moments later, Twente became dangerous again and Daan Rots shot the post from outside the box. Nevertheless, the Alkmaarders put their affairs in order fairly quickly. Fredrik Midtsjø pulled the ball tight, after which Julio Pleguezuelo shot the ball into his own goal.

AZ took the lead in the 82nd minute. Striker Pavlidis was allowed to continue on the edge of offside and shot the ball diagonally and through the inside of the post. The game was not spectacular, but AZ was clearly the dominant party and deservedly qualified for the next round of the cup tournament.

Another away game awaits the Alkmaarders in the last eight. The opponent will be announced on Saturday.

AZ setup: Vindahl; Sugawara, Witry, Beukema, Wijndal; Midtsjo, Clasie, De Wit; Evjen (Reijnders/85), Pavlidis, Karlsson