Thanks to a late goal by Tijjani Reijnders, AZ booked a much-needed victory over sc Heerenveen (2-1). The Alkmaarders fell behind, something that made trainer Pascal Jansen disappointed afterwards.
“As is often the case this season, we had to chase,” Jansen started talking to the camera of ESPN† “Fortunately, we managed it. I am happy with Reijnders’ substitution today, because he decided it.”
Zakaria Aboukhlal started as a left winger at AZ and in the base. Jansen is satisfied with his pupil. “He has done well under the circumstances. His last game in the starting lineup has been a while. He created a threat and ran well deep. Our mission has been accomplished, we wanted to react after the unnecessary loss of points against PEC. It is important that you then respond. That’s what we did.”
“Our mission has been accomplished, we wanted to react after the unnecessary loss of points against PEC”
Decisive Reijnders
The purpose of the substitution of Tijjani Reijnders for Dani de Wit at half time was to bring energy. “We missed that in the first half. Every time we went after the ball too late”, Reijnders explains. “Fortunately, it became 1-1 before half-time, so that we could look for victory in the second half. The goal fell quite late, but it was right.”
According to Reijnders, he wants to become a regular basic player at the Alkmaarders. “Then you will have to seize your opportunities. I was able to show it today after the break and scored a goal. The goal remains to achieve European placement and to be in the starting lineup more often.”
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