An easy afternoon for AZ visiting NEC. Without the support of away fans, it became 3-0 for the Alkmaarders. Big man was Jesper Karlsson with two goals, Jordy Clasie scored the other goal. The victory secures fourth place and third place is also within reach.
After the European hangover (on and off the field), AZ was keen to recover in the premier league. The intentions of the Alkmaarders became clear several times in the opening phase through shots from Sven Mijnans (on Jasper Cillessen) and Jesper Karlsson (just wide). The Swede was accurate moments later. Vangelis Pavlidis put the ball wide on Karlsson and he outwitted Cillessen: 0-1.
Karlsson also thought he was the final destination of the second Alkmaar goal, but the VAR put a stop to that. In the run-up to the goal, Myron van Brederode, who replaced Jens Odgaard, turned out to be offside. That doubling of the lead came just before half-time. Jordy Clasie set up an attack, found Pavlidis and hit: 0-2.
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The afternoon became even sunnier for AZ after a quick goal after the break. Karlsson got the ball from Pavlidis and hit behind Cillessen. This time his goal remained standing and helped the Alkmaarders in the saddle: 0-3. Pedro Marques came through dangerously, but Sven Beukema was able to intervene in time.
In the final phase there was another good moment for Zinho Vanheusden. The Internazionale mercenary made his first minutes since January. Dirk Proper was sent off after a foul on Clasie, but the victory was no longer in danger for AZ. Because of the three-pointer, AZ keeps the pressure on Ajax, because it only has two points less. The Alkmaarders will play at home against PSV next week, while Ajax has to play against FC Twente.
Setup AZ: Ryan; Sugawara (Vanheusden/80), Beukema, Hatzidiakos, Kerkez; Clasie, Reijnders, Mijnans (D. De Wit/64); Van Brederode (Lahdo/64), Pavlidis, Karlsson