AZ has again failed to take the lead in the Eredivisie. On a visit to FC Volendam it became 1-1 with some fortune. Volendam was ahead for a long time after a goal by Xavier Mbuyamba and was entitled to more. Jens Odgaard equalized after a red card for Gaetano Oristanio.
In the run-up to the derby, AZ had serious problems in the central defense. Pantelis Hatzidiakos was the only fit central defender. Zinho Vanheusden was injured against FC Utrecht and his intended replacement Riechedly Bazoer was injured during training on Thursday. Wouter Goes therefore made his debut in the heart of the defense. Djordje Mihailovic was also missing, causing Jesper Karlsson to drop a line.
That ensured that Myron van Brederode was at the kick-off, for the first time since the end of October. The match had a dull and sluggish first half. Many balls were played over the sideline by AZ and they did not create a significant chance. FC Volendam became dangerous via Xavier Mbuyamba (header from a free kick) and Gaetano Oristanio. It didn’t lead to goals.
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The second half was a lot more exciting compared to before the break. Oristanio tried to beat Mathew Ryan from a distance and Jens Odgaard headed just wide from a corner. Just like in the first half, a free kick from Eiting created danger. This time Mbuyamba headed the ball behind Ryan: 1-0. AZ coach Pascal Jansen was dissatisfied and replaced Sven Mijnans for Van Brederode.
Brian Plat forced Ryan into a save with a long shot a few minutes after his goal. After a reckless foul by Oristiano, he first got yellow. After interference from the VAR, that was changed to red. AZ then went diligently looking for the equalizer. Vangelis Pavlidis had the chance to equalize, but shot the ball far over the goal. Odgaard was able to score the equalizer due to Derry John Murkin’s poor execution: 1-1.
Due to the draw, AZ remains in second place in the Eredivisie with one point less than Feyenoord. They will play the top match against PSV tomorrow. FC Volendam remains in fifteenth place and is two points ahead of FC Emmen.
Line-up FC Volendam: Stankovic; Flat, Mbuyamba, Flint, Mirani, Murkin; Sanchez, Eiting, Twigt (W. Ould-Chikh/90); Oristanio, Muhren (Antonucci/62)
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara, Hatzidiakos, Goes (Lahdo/74), Kerkez; Reijnders, Clasie, Karlsson; Odgaard, Pavlidis, Van Brederode (Mijnans/62)