AZ fight valiantly but come up just short in 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur
AZ Alkmaar came up just short in their UEFA Europa League match on Thursday against the English team Tottenham Hotspur. A penalty scored by Brazilian striker Richarlison was the difference between the two teams in the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London.
The team ended the match with ten men as David Møller Wolfe was sent off for the second time in a week for a second yellow. The Norwegian fullback had also been sent off last week against PSV.
AZ manager Maarten Martens went with the same 11 that lost 2-1 against PSV in the Eredivisie last weekend. Oranje international Mickey van de Ven was on the bench for the home side. He was one of several first-team regulars who were rested for the game.
Tottenham had the first significant chance after four minutes. Timo Werner’s cross found young winger Mikey Moore at the far post, but fortunately for AZ, he headed the chance wide.
AZ’s game plan was working, and it was actually the Alkmaarders who came closest to a goal after the opening phase of the match. A corner by Sven Mijnans was headed toward goal by Alexandre Penetra, and it forced a spectacular save by Fraser Forster.
The only goal of the match came shortly after halftime. Maxim Dekker was penalized for a foul on Lucas Bergvall in the penalty area, which resulted in a penalty for the home side. The penalty was eventually taken by Richarlison, after some discussions between him and team captain James Maddison. The Brazillian kept his calm and side-footed the ball through the middle of the goal to give his side the lead.
Martens’ side had their biggest chance of the match in the 74th minute. Troy Parrot played the ball into the path of Mayckel Lahdo, but his shot went straight at Forster.
AZ ended the match with ten men as Moller Wolfe was sent off for a foul from behind on Brennan Johnson.
It was the fifth loss in a row for the Alkmaarders who are in 24th position in the 36-team Europa League. They will be trying to end this losing streak this weekend when they face Go Ahead Eagles.
