AZ lost the first semi-final of the European football play-offs 3-2. Just before time, the Alkmaarders led 2-1 thanks to goals from Hakon Evjen and Vangelis Pavlidis. In stoppage time, Amin Sarr and Alen Halilovic treated AZ to a painful defeat.
AZ started the play-offs in the Abe Lenstra stadium in Heerenveen with a changed team. Captain Owen Wijndal was missing due to a groin injury he sustained against RKC Waalwijk (3-1 loss). Milos Kerkez therefore made his debut in the main force. Sam Beukema formed the central block of three at AZ with Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Bruno Martins Indi, which operated in a 5-3-2 formation.
AZ started the game strongly and controlled the opening phase. Within two minutes Pavlidis had a nice chance, but the Greek striker’s shot sailed past. Heerenveen, which played no less than twenty points less than AZ in the Eredivisie, barely managed to get to the half of AZ. Halfway through the first half, Heerenveen produced the first danger with a long shot from Thom Haye that flew a meter wide.
Long Shots
During the first half, Heerenveen grew to the level of AZ and both teams gave each other little. The Alkmaarders played a little easier football, but failed to shake the home team. It remained with long shots from Pavlidis, Beukema and Evjen, who single-handedly covered the right side of the field.
Text continues below the photo.
After the break, AZ goalkeeper Peter Vindahl had to go straight to work: the Dane boxed a hard shot away from Haye. The former AZ player took Heerenveen by the hand and was the declarant for the opening goal. After a good action, Sydney van Hooijdonk could easily tap the ball in: 1-0. AZ was able to repair the damage within two minutes. Fredrik Midtsjø made a nice play on the right side, freed Evjen and he scored the equalizer in the corner: 1-1.
Goldcrest Pavlidis
The game was loose and both teams suddenly went for the win. Pavlidis helped AZ to a 2-1 lead. The Greek managed to get the ball in from the turn after Dani de Wit headed back.
What followed was an awkward phase towards the end in which both teams failed to find control. Heerenveen went looking for the attack, but AZ’s defense was good. The only rebound was a shot from Jesper Karlsson that flew past. In the final phase, it still went wrong for AZ. Amin Sarr was cleared and shot the ball into the top corner in the 90th minute: 2-2. To make matters worse, Alen Halilovic scored the 3-2 for Heerenveen deep in injury time.
Text continues below the tweet.
The return awaits in Alkmaar on Sunday at 2.30 pm. The winner over two matches will play in the final against Vitesse or FC Utrecht. The prize is a ticket to the second qualifying round of the Conference League.
AZ setup: Vindahl; Evjen, Hatzidiakos (Sugawara/84), Beukema, Martins Indi, Kerkez (Witry/77); Clasie, De Wit (Reijnders/66), Mistdjø; Pavlidis, Karlsson
Don’t want to miss anything from NH Sport?