AZ drew 1-1 in the away match against FC Volendam on Saturday evening. FC Volendam player Xavier Mbuyamba and AZ player Jens Odgaard scored the goals in the Kras Stadium. Due to the draw, the Alkmaarders fail to take over the lead from Feyenoord, which will play the top match against PSV on Sunday.
In a slow first half with hardly any chances, both North Holland teams failed to score. Much more happened in the second half and FC Volendam took the lead thanks to a header by Mbuyamba, from a swinging free kick by Carel Eiting. After 76 minutes, FC Volendam’s Gaetano Oristanio received a straight red card for a hard foul on Jordy Clasie. The home team therefore had to hold back. AZ striker Vangelis Pavlidis was soon close to 1-1, but shot over. In minute 83 it was hit: Jens Odgaard scored after a deflected corner. AZ then continued to push, but was unable to score a second goal.
If Feyenoord wins the top match against PSV on Sunday, the team from Rotterdam will be four points behind the Alkmaarders. With a PSV victory, the Eindhoven team will go over AZ. Ajax can get one point from AZ if it wins the away match against SC Cambuur. FC Twente can reduce the distance to AZ to two points. For that, the people of Enschede must win against FC Groningen, which is in a sporting crisis.