AZ started the European season on Thursday with a small victory. The team of coach Pascal Jansen won the first leg against the Bosnian FK Tuzla City in the second preliminary round of the Conference League with 1-0.
Dani de Wit scored the only goal of the match in Alkmaar in the twelfth minute. The midfielder converted a penalty.
AZ had a number of opportunities in the remainder of the game, but failed to double their lead. Milos Kerkez’s shot hit the crossbar.
The return between AZ and Tuzla City is scheduled for next Thursday in Sarajevo. The winner of the diptych plays in the third heat against Dundee United from Scotland. After that, one more preliminary round has to be survived to reach the main tournament.
Dani de Wit cheers after his opening goal.
Dani de Wit cheers after his opening goal.
Photo: ANP
De Wit opens score from penalty kick
Tuzla City had their first chance in the AFAS Stadium, but Jasmin Celikovic’s header went wide. AZ then took the initiative and the home team put pressure on the Bosnians.
The dominance soon resulted in the opening goal. In the twelfth minute the ball hit the spot, after Jens Odgaard was put down by goalkeeper Nevres Fejzic. De Wit then scored the penalty flawlessly.
AZ also kept chasing goals after the 1-0 and was close to them a number of times in the first half. For example, attempts by Tijjani Reijnders and Jordy Clasie just missed the goal and Kerkez’s long shot hit the crossbar.
AZ celebrates the victory with the supporters.
AZ celebrates the victory with the supporters.
Photo: ANP
AZ escapes equalizer
In the second half, AZ initially continued on the same footing. Odgaard was close to 2-0 after half an hour, but his header went just over.
Then the pace in the game slowed down and Tuzla City once again created danger. After a nice combination by the visitors, Semir Smajlagic shot wide.
AZ had to watch out for the equalizer in the final phase, but in the end remained on their feet. In the ninetieth minute, De Wit was still close to his second of the evening, but his header missed the goal.
