AZ has won a place in the third round of the KNVB cup tournament. The Alkmaarders needed an extension against second divisionist HHC Hardenberg. Ruben van Bommel made the liberating 2-3.
The more than four thousand spectators at the packed De Boshoek Sports Park saw, among other things, that Dani de Wit had a starting place at AZ again. The fit again Rome Jayden Owusu-Oduro returned due to injuries of both Hobie Verhulst and Mathew Ryan back under the bar.
On the waterlogged field in Hardenberg, AZ had the greatest opportunities in the first fifteen minutes. Shots by Dani de Wit, Myron van Brederode and Vangelis Pavlidis were saved by HHC goalkeeper Jorick Maats.
Impeccable
After 22 minutes, Pascal Jansen’s team scored. Top scorer Pavlidis scored the opening goal flawlessly after a clever through ball from Jayden Addai. After the 0-1, AZ remained the better side, although the home team still had a great opportunity. Owusu-Oduro saved former professional Jesper Drost’s bet, meaning AZ went into halftime with a minimal lead.
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Even after tea the rain came pouring down. Pavlidis had a good opportunity to score his second goal of the evening after an hour of play, but the Greek’s long shot sailed a meter over the crossbar.
HHC surprisingly came alongside in the 63rd minute from a standard situation. A corner kick from the Hardenbergers was headed in via the post by defender Serginho Fatima. The equalizer gave the home team extra energy, which got their own crowd behind them even more. AZ was unable to destroy HHC on the heavy field and had to rely on whims. That eventually came from Jens Odgaard. The Dane was cold on the field for three minutes when he hit hard and low from the edge of the penalty area: 1-2.
Church scores against old club
In the very last minute of injury time, HHC went on the attack one last time. A deflected ball was hit hard by former AZ player Joeri Church. The substitute on the HHC side meant that fifteen minutes of extra football had to be played twice.
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In extra time it was firstly Yukinari Sugawara with two good opportunities. Both attempts by the Japanese were stopped by the HHC goalkeeper. The Alkmaarders would soon come out on top. Substitute Ruben van Bommel was alert during a scrimmage in front of the goal and scored the liberating 2-3 from close range.
On Thursday evening, AZ will be involved in the draw for the third round of the national cup tournament.
AZ setup: Owusu-Oduro; Kasius (Dekker/105), Bazoer (Goes/80), Penetra, Sugawara; Clasie, Goudmijn (Odgaard/73), D. De Wit; Van Brederode (Van Bommel/73), Pavlidis, Addai (Sadiq/53)