Five days after FC Volendam held Ajax on a draw in-house (1-1), it practiced on the turf in its own stadium against AZ. For the occasion, Michael Dingsdag was on the couch at Volendam as a trainer, because he has to make minutes as the person ultimately responsible for his highest trainer diploma.
At AZ, the Million purchase Weslley Patati was in the base. Former Volendammers Lequincio Zeefuik and Billy van Duijl also started on the side of the Alkmaarders.
In the first half, both teams had a lot of trouble achieving opportunities. A number of long shots and half passes were noted. Keeper Roy Steur still had to intervene on a hard shot from outside the sixteen and Aaron Meijers was still dangerous from a corner. Silvinho Esajas had to leave the field with a main injury after half an hour after he got a free kick in his face.
The pace was higher after the break and FC Volendam got the better chances. Substitute Key-Shawn Wong-a-Soij was dangerous a number of times from the side. At AZ, Jasper Zwart and Bohdan Budko made their unofficial debut in the main force. Halfway through the second half, Budko had a considerable opportunity, but he hit the ball too soft. On the other hand, substitute Anthony Descotte saw his efforts flying in the side net. Robert Mühren was still close to a goal, but his Stiftje was saved with the fingertips by goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet.
Venom in the tail
There was still a goal in the final phase. FC Volendam scored through substitute Anthony Descotte. In the last minutes of the game, Brandley Kuwas was served this time by Descotte, after which the attacking midfielder hit: 2-0.
This weekend, both teams are free because of international football. On Saturday, September 13, FC Volendam will resume the competition against Go Ahead Eagles. AZ will travel to Almelo on Sunday 14 September for the game with Heracles.
FC Volendam setup: Sturgeon; Ugwu, Mbuyamba, Esajas (Verhuuren/27), Meijers; Plat, Bukala (Wong-a-Soij/46), Kuwas; Oehlers (Yah/46), Mühren, Ideho (Descotte/71)
AZ setup: Sweet; Esajas, Van Duijl, Dekker, Inge (Black/56); Boogaard, Mijnans (Hartog/69), Twisk (Hartog/57); Van Duijn, Zeefuik (Budko/56), Patati (Robbemond/69)