AZ failed to win its last of a total of three exhibition games in Dirkshorn tonight. Against the English Norwich City it finally became 1-1 at the complex of the local amateur association. Ruben van Bommel was the only goal scorer on behalf of AZ.
AZ started without Tijjani Reijnders against the team from the Championship, the second level of England. An hour before the kick-off of the game the transition from Reijnders to AC Milan is official.
The central duo of the Alkmaarders consisted of Mees de Wit and Lewis Schouten in the first half. The latter was not well after six minutes with a free kick from backwards by Norwich. Striker Ashley Barnes took advantage of the inattention in the back at AZ by making it 0-1.
Nice rescue
However, Pascal Jansen’s team did not have to face a backlog for long. Four minutes after the opening goal, Ruben van Bommel scored the 1-1. On the other hand, Norwich became dangerous again just before the break. AZ goalkeeper Mathew Ryan made sure that it remained 1-1 at the break with a nice save.
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In the second half there was another center in the back of AZ with Riechedly Bazoer and Pantelis Hatzediakos. From a defensive point of view, AZ gave little away after the break. On the other hand, the attack only showed itself on rare occasions. Myron van Brederode came closest after an hour of play. The wing attacker shot half a meter wide from the edge of the penalty area.
Tim Curl
At Norwich, former AZ player and fifteen-time international Tim Krul was under the bar in the second half. The Dutch goalkeeper had little to fear from the home team in the last half hour. The goalkeeper only had to pay attention to a long shot that went straight at him from Van Brederode again. After ninety minutes it remained at 1-1.
AZ is therefore still undefeated in this preparation after the draws against Shakhtar Donetsk and Norwich City and the wins against Lech Poznan and Standard Liège.
Line-up AZ first half: Ryan; Kasius, Schouten, M. De Wit, Wolfe; Clasie, Mihailovic (Goldmine/31), Karlsson; Poku, Pavlidis, Van Bommel
Line-up AZ second half: disguised; Kasius (Sugawara/61), Bazoer, Hatzediakos, M. De Wit (Wolfe/72); Mijnans, Goudmijn, Karlsson (D. De Wit/61); Van Brederode, Barasi, Lahdo