AZ secured European football on Sunday. In an intense play-off final against FC Twente, the Alkmaar team overturned a 0-2 deficit and will enter the second qualifying round of the Conference League next season.
FC Twente seemed on their way to victory thanks to a double strike from the departing Sem Steijn before half-time, but AZ fought back to 2-2. In added time of the second half, substitute Ibrahim Sadiq scored the winner: 3-2.
AZ missed the chance to qualify for the Europa League due to the loss in the cup final, but now the club has secured a European ticket. AZ is thus extending a special series. The Alkmaar club has always qualified for (the preliminary rounds of) a European tournament since the 2018/2019 season.
Maarten Martens’ team will have to be back in action in just under two months. The matches in the second qualifying round of the Conference League will be played on July 24 and 31.
FC Twente will be absent from a European tournament next season after three years. The Tukkers reached the intermediate round of the Europa League this season.
Beforehand, AZ seemed to have a physical advantage for the final match. The Alkmaar team easily defeated sc Heerenveen (4-1) on Thursday evening without too much effort, while FC Twente only won against NEC (3-2) after extra time. Moreover, the Tukkers played with ten men for a long time.
But there was no sign of a physical advantage for the home team in the first half. FC Twente looked more energetic and dictated the game. In the 21st minute, the visitors took a deserved lead. Ricky van Wolfswinkel crept in front of AZ defender Alexandre Penetra, who touched him lightly and conceded a penalty.
Steijn scored and, in his last match for FC Twente – he is moving to Feyenoord – scored his thirtieth goal in all competitions this season. Steijn’s 31st goal came four minutes before half-time. He was in the right place to tap in a cross from Michel Vlap.
Joseph Oosting’s team was on easy street, but AZ fought back just before half-time. Mexx Meerdink, good for a hat-trick against Heerenveen, scored after Ernest Poku’s effort was cleared off the line.
Just before half-time, FC Twente striker Van Wolfswinkel got away with a foul. Referee Serdar Gözübüyük spared the experienced player, even after intervention from VAR, after he had stepped on Penetra’s lower leg. Penetra had to be substituted at half-time.
Without Penetra, AZ showed a completely different (and fresh) face after half-time. Less than a minute into the second half, Meerdink already had the chance to make it 2-2 and in the 53rd minute it was level through Ruben van Bommel. FC Twente keeper Przemyslaw Tyton misjudged his hard shot through the middle.
The visitors could only hold on for a long time. AZ midfielder Kees Smit had a dangerous shot and Tyton made a fine save from a close-range effort by Van Bommel. Although Twente was suddenly dangerous again: a shot from Vlap was cleared off the line.
So it seemed that there would be no winner in regular time, until substitute Sadiq struck in injury time. Arno Verschueren then had the 3-3 on his boot, but Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro excelled with a fine save, securing the European ticket for AZ.