46′ Kick-off second half! From now on it will be a multitasking match, because AZ is also playing again. Maarten Martens’ team has to make up for a 2-1 deficit.
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 turn that into goals in the second half.
Rest! And there is also the halftime 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
Oh, Riski is hurting AZ again. He is left free in the penalty area and heads Ulundu’s perfect cross hard.
45′ Ilves has no intention of giving 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 blasts the ball from close range onto the crossbar. What a shame!
37′ Back to the present, because Smit tries it from distance for AZ. Ilves goalkeeper Virtanen has difficulty keeping his goal clean.
Speaking of the Tammelan Stadium, Victoria Pelova will have bad memories of it. The Orange international suffered a serious knee injury there a year ago during the European Championship qualifier against Finland (1-1).
A handful of AZ fans are having a great time in Tampere. You wouldn’t expect it in Scandinavia, but with 29 degrees it is melting in the stands of the Tammelan Stadium.
28′ Again the Smit-Parrott tandem creates danger. This time the shot from the 23-year-old Irishman is not hard enough.
In our editorial office there was already fear that the photographers are still on vacation, but the first photos are now trickling in. Parrott just scored his first goal of the season.
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 shoots in subtly. They don’t really cheer though…
8′ GOAL Ilves! 1-0
Oh oh oh, no one saw that coming. While AZ attacker Poku creates danger with an inward shot, Ilves turns the game around quickly. Rale delivers a brilliant pass to Riski, who shoots mercilessly 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.