AZ Alkmaar cruise to 3-0 win over FC Drita in UEFA Conference League
AZ Alkmaar had a comfortable evening in Kosovo on Thursday evening, beating FC Drita 3-0 in the UEFA Conference League. Sven Mijnans, Isak Jensen, and Ibrahim Sadiq scored the goals for Maarten Martens’ side.
It is AZ’s second win in a row in the competition, which has helped get them to 13th in the 36-team league. They have a three-point gap in the playoff spots and are only a point behind eighth place, which would guarantee a bye to the last 16.
AZ broke the deadlock in the 17th minute after some great team play. Kees Smit found the gap with a pass as he often does to Victor Jensen, he then laid the ball off to Sven Mijnans to finish with his stronger left foot, this proved easy for the midfielder as he calmly stroked it home to make it 1-o.
They created two chances shortly before halftime to extend their lead. First, Peer Koopmeiners found Troy Parrott in the box, but the Irish striker put it wide. This came before another great bit of play, which included a back heel by Mateo Chavez and Parrott, resulting in Mijnans laying the ball off to Wesley Patati, but the Brazilian put the ball far over the goal.
The Alkmaar side doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Smit played a pass to Jensen on the edge of the area, and his shot wrong-footed Faton Maloku in the Drita goal.
Smit, who was fantastic during the game, should have crowned his performance with a goal when a one-two with Mijnans set up a chance for the young midfielder, but he put the somewhat simple finish wide of the goal.
AZ substitute Matej Sin had two chances to get on the scoresheet in quick succession after coming on. First, he missed the ball completely after Smit had played the ball to him in front of the goal, which led to another cross to him, and his second finish was not much better, putting it straight at Maluku.
Drita was flat throughout the game, and it was especially evident near the end of the game. AZ took advantage by adding a third. A cross from Mees de Wit found Sadiq unmarked, and he headed home with ease.
