46′ Kick-off second half! Here we go again, Sheriff and FC Utrecht start the second half with a 1-1 score.
Finished! The goal fest in Finland is over. It seemed like a disgrace for AZ, but Meerdink limited the damage in the final phase. The final score: 4-3. So there are still opportunities for the return next week Thursday.
90+1′ GOAL AZ! 4-3
Look, Meerdink of all people limits the damage for AZ. The substitute shoots in the 4-3 on a pass from Mijnans. With that, Meerdink gives himself a nice birthday present.
Rest! In Moldova, the whistle has blown for half-time. To the anger of Sheriff, who would have liked to continue playing for a while. It remains 1-1.
33′ GOAL FC Utrecht! 1-1
It’s raining goals this Thursday evening. This is already the fifth goal in fifteen minutes! Fortunately, the Dutch spectator can also cheer again for a moment, because Jensen smashes in the equalizer for FC Utrecht from a corner. The goal is celebrated with the traveling fans as if it were Europa League victory.
71′ GOAL Ilves! 4-2
It is now becoming very embarrassing for AZ. Soderback ensures with a long-distance shot that Zoet has to fish the ball out of his goal again. Meerdink, Buurmeester and Jensen are now preparing for a substitution. Can they turn this match around?
68′ GOAL Ilves! 3-2
Oops, again it cracks at AZ in a defensive sense. Koopmeiners is outwitted by Akinyemi, who shoots Ilves back into the lead.
24′ GOAL Sheriff! 1-0
Sheriff shows how dangerous a throw-in can be. Rai reaches Ademo, who works the ball into the Utrecht goal with a tricky bounce.
61′ GOAL AZ! 2-2
Mijnans has been on the field for less than three minutes when he gets the ball in the box. He shoots the rebound flawlessly and immediately proves his value. The midfielder, who is on PSV’s radar, still had to start on the bench.
17′ FC Utrecht escapes an early deficit. A low cross goes past everything and everyone until Yade puts his foot against the ball. Fortunately for the away team, there is little power behind his shot, so Barkas can easily save it.
46′ Kick-off second half! From now on it will be a multitasking match, because AZ is also playing again. Maarten Martens’ team must make up for a 2-1 deficit.
1′ Kick-off! The ball is also rolling in Moldova. FC Utrecht starts the European season against FC Sheriff.
It is not going well for AZ for the time being, especially defensively it looks vulnerable. If you look at the statistics, the Alkmaarders do have the upper hand. But they will really have to convert that into goals in the second half.
Rest! And there is also the rust signal. AZ will have imagined the adventure in Finland differently. Let’s see if the tea can bring change.
45+2′ GOAL Ilves! 2-1
Ai, Riski hurts AZ again. He is left completely free in the penalty area and heads Ulundu’s perfect cross hard.
45′ Ilves certainly does not intend to give it away easily. Tiitinen produces a dangerous header. Zoet can just prevent AZ from falling behind again with his fingertips.
39′ Crossbar! Oooh, this chance was even bigger! From the corner, Smit gets the ball on a silver platter, but he smashes the ball from close range onto the crossbar. Too bad!
37′ Back to the present, because Smit tries it from distance for AZ. Ilves goalkeeper Virtanen has difficulty keeping his goal clean.
28′ Again the Smit-Parrott tandem creates danger. This time the shot from the 23-year-old Irishman is not hard enough.
16′ GOAL AZ! 1-1
Parrott puts things in order! Top talent Smit dribbles into the box and sees Parrott coming up in the corner of his eye. Smit passes to the striker, who subtly shoots in. They don’t really cheer…
8′ GOAL Ilves! 1-0
Oh oh oh, nobody saw that coming. While AZ attacker Poku creates danger with an inward shot, Ilves quickly reverses the game. Rale delivers a brilliant pass to Riski, who shoots mercilessly in one-on-one with Zoet. A false start for AZ.
5′ Koopmeiners provides the first shot on behalf of AZ, but his attempt goes a few meters wide. It is currently tied.
1′ Kick-off! The ball is rolling in Finnish Tampere. AZ hopes to take the first step towards the main phase of the Conference League against Ilves.
No birthday present for Mexx Meerdink. The attacker may blow out 22 candles today, but would have preferred to trade them for a starting place in Finland. Troy Parrott is preferred.