A problem-free afternoon for AZ visiting FC Emmen. The Alkmaarders already scored three goals before half time and went in search of more in the second half. That failed, resulting in a 3-0 win.
Without the injured Bruno Martins Indi and Vangelis Pavlidis, AZ experienced a problem-free first half. Just like against NEC Nijmegen, they were replaced by Maxim Dekker and Jens Odgaard. The Dane also got the first chance of the game. He was able to head in freely after a good cross from Milos Kerkez, but the striker’s effort went just wide. Odgaard was finally able to cheer.
After a pass from Jordy Clasie he finished in a controlled manner. A few minutes later, Dani de Wit was the celebrated man. He tapped the ball in after a rebound from Odgaard. Tijjani Reijnders shot flawlessly and expanded the margin even more: 3-0. Kerkez was completely free in the box just before half-time, but he mowed the ball over the goal.
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Odgaard most danger
The game picture changed little after the break. AZ was eagerly looking for more goals, led by Odgaard. He got a huge chance after a cross from Myron van Brederode, his shot went high from close range. Moments later, the replacement for Pavlidis curled the ball hard on the crossbar from a free kick from far. In between, Emmen created an opportunity via Ole Romeny after an assist from Rui Mendes. Romeny shot high over.
From a cross by Kerkez, Odgaard again unsuccessfully headed the goal. Goal scorer Reijnders had the 4-0 on his shoe not much later after a wonderful attack via Odgaard and de Wit. Reijnders lobbed the ball just wide. In the final phase, the midfielder was once again released for the keeper, but goalkeeper Eric Oelschlägel turned out to be a bummer. Emmen was still looking for a goal, but it did not come.
The European season starts on Thursday for AZ visiting the Ukrainian SK Dnipro-1 in Slovakia. Kick-off is from 9 p.m.
AZ setup: concealed; Hatzidiakos (Sugawara/63), Beukema, Dekker, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders, Clasie (P. Koopmeiners/71), D. De Wit (M. De Wit/81); Evjen, Odgaard (Barasi/71), Van Brederode (Lahdo/63)