AZ scores three points against ten NAC in the final phase

AZ beat NAC in the Premier League thanks to a goal in injury time. The people of Breda were ahead 1-0 at home until fifteen minutes before the end, but in the end the people of Alkmaar won 1-2 thanks to a late goal from Mees de Wit.

With this victory, AZ continues to compete for direct qualification for European football. Maarten Martens’ team is now sixth with 29 points from sixteen games, six points behind number four Feyenoord.

The surprising NAC has to take a step back due to the defeat. NAC is now ninth on goal difference behind Go Ahead Eagles and Fortuna Sittard, who have also collected 22 points.

AZ, which had changed considerably compared to the away match against Ludogorets in the Europa League, did not start well. Captain Jordy Clasie, Wouter Goes, David Møller Wolfe and Ernest Poku were not allowed to start. Bruno Martins Indi, Kees Smit, Mees de Wit and Zico Buurmeester played in their place.

NAC took the deserved lead after twelve minutes, Elías Már Ómarsson finished calmly on a pass from Boy Kemper. There was no discussion about that completion, but there was a discussion about the fact that a second ball was in play at that moment. That second ball was also in the penalty area, which may have caused confusion. Referee Edwin van de Graaf did not think that was a reason to cancel the goal.

In the second half, Jordy Clasie, Mayckel Lahdo and Wouter Goes were allowed to come on. This added some extra fight to the team, but it did not immediately create more opportunities. Ruben van Bommel came through dangerously after 65 minutes of play, but there were not many more feats to note.

Until ten minutes before time. Then AZ managed to score the equalizer. A cross from Peer Koopmeiners was headed in backwards by the Irishman Troy Parrott: 1-1. Leo Greiml received a second yellow card five minutes before the end, again for a foul on Ruben van Bommel. NAC had to continue with one man less in the last five minutes.

NAC’s ten seemed to have a point over the line, but Mees de Wit headed in a rebound in injury time. Peer Koopmeiners shot from a great distance, but his shot could not hold Daniel Bielica. De Wit only had to put his head against the ball to secure the win.

In the final phase the referee issued yellow cards, mainly for protesting. After the final whistle, it became even more unfriendly on the field after Meerdink had celebrated AZ’s victory in front of a section of NAC supporters.