AZ has closed the Eredivisie weekend with a victory. The Alkmaarders defeated FC Emmen 5-1 and all goals were scored before the break. Jesper Karlsson and Dani de Wit returned in the second half after injury. The third place is now again for AZ due to the victory.
AZ laid the foundation for the big victory by scoring four goals in fifteen minutes. The ball was opened by Sven Mijnans, who scored almost from the back line: 1-0. The next attack was a hit via Myron van Brederode, who replaced Jesper Karlsson in the past five games. Jens Odgaard also had a huge chance moments later, but his bet was turned by Mickey van der Hart.
A free kick by Tijjani Reijnders was then too much for him: 3-0. Sam Beukema seemed to graze the ball, but the goal was awarded to Reijnders. The defender was able to cheer a little later. Beukema headed a corner from Van Brederode against the ropes. Due to a hard bang from Jordy Clasie, AZ went to rest with a big lead: 5-0.
The Alkmaarders turned out to have already shot their guns in the first half. The visitors from Drenthe even came to 5-1. Richairo Zivkovic was the creator. Emmen pressed a little more and again had a good chance to shoot through Mark Diemers. Goalkeeper Mathew Ryan was able to stop this bet. Partly due to the big lead, AZ coach Pascal Jansen dared to bring in Karlsson and Dani de Wit. De Wit played his last game in January due to a serious injury.
The Swedish attacker showed himself twice immediately after his substitution. He dribbled in first and shot just wide. Moments later, he soloed towards goal and his bet landed on the post. De Wit also had a good chance and found Van der Hart on his way. AZ has taken over third place from Ajax again through the victory. The team from Amsterdam will play on Tuesday afternoon from 3 p.m. and can catch up with the Alkmaarders. The second semi-final against West Ham United is on Thursday at 9 p.m. AZ then has to make up for a 2-1 deficit.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara (Bazoer/64), Goes, Beukema, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders (Mihailovic/84), Mijnans (D. De Wit/64); Odgaard, Pavlidis (Meerdink/64), Van Brederode (Karlsson/64)