Without the injured Bruno Martins Indi and Vangelis Pavlidis, AZ has drawn 1-1 at home against NEC. The team of trainer Pascal Jansen had many opportunities, especially in the second half, but the winning goal was not made.
After fifteen minutes of play it was Myron van Brederode who created a nice chance after a good action, but his effort went over the goal. AZ had opportunities through Reijnders, De Wit and Odgaard, but that did not result in any hits. NEC became dangerous through Oussama Tannane.
AZ stronger
The team of trainer Pascal Jansen became stronger and stronger in the first half and a goal hung in the air. Towards halftime, Hatzidiakos shot past after a wonderful AZ attack. The Alkmaarders let the ball go around well, but no goals were scored in the first 45 minutes of the game.
Against the ratio
Totally against proportion, NEC defender Iván Márquez headed the visitors ahead. AZ came back very quickly via Jens Odgaard who scored his first goal of the season. The Alkmaarders were looking for their second goal of the evening. With fifteen minutes to go, De Wit’s goal was disallowed due to offside.
It was not going well for AZ. NEC keeper Jasper Cillessen was an obstacle. Substitute Barasi seemed to make the winner, but Verdonk took the ball off the line. And so AZ suffered the first loss of points of the competition after three wins in a row.
Line-up AZ: Verhulst; Hatzidiakos (Sugawara/79), Beukema, Dekker, Kerkez (De Wit/87); Clasie, Reijnders; Evjen, De Wit, Odgaard (Barasi/83); Van Brederode (Lahdo/80)