AZ knows what winning is again; Alkmaarders beat Fortuna Sittard in the final phase

At the Alkmaarders, Dani de Wit returned to the starting line-up after a suspension. AZ started the match in Limburg strongly and lively, but saw the home team take the lead. After Kristijan Belić lost the ball, Iñigo Córdoba slalomed through the defense with childish ease and then shot in the 1-0 against the odds.

AZ only regained control of the match at the end of the first half. David Møller Wolfe scored the equalizer in the 35th minute. However, the Norwegian full-back was much too hasty in shooting after a rejected corner. Vangelis Pavlidis, on the other hand, showed that he is sharp. After a brilliant attack, the AZ striker shot the ball hard into the ropes, but saw his goal rightly disallowed for offside.

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After halftime the match went downhill, but AZ had difficulty creating big opportunities. Michael Verrips helped AZ into the saddle by making a huge mistake. Fortuna Sittard’s goalkeeper let the ball slip out of his hands, after which Vangelis Pavlidis was quick to make it 1-1. It was already his 21st goal of the season for the Greek striker.

Wage for work

After the equalizer, AZ smelled blood and went all out for the win. Substitute Myron van Brederode hit the crossbar very hard and Sven Mijnans was also close with a dry shot. In the last minute of official playing time, AZ was rewarded for their work. Dani de Wit scored the deserved 1-2 on the scoreboard. The assist came from substitute Lequincio Zeefuik, who managed to extend Sugawara’s long throw-in with his head.

Due to the victory, AZ is still in fourth place in the Premier League. The lead over Ajax is now 4 points. The Amsterdam team will be in action against NEC tomorrow.

AZ setup: Ryan; Sugawara, Goes (Martins Indi/65), Bazoer, Møller Wolfe (Lahdo/65); Clasie, Belic (Dantas/57), Mijnans (Zeefuik/85); De Wit, Pavlidis, Van Bommel (Van Brederode/57)