Despite an early red card, AZ won 2-1 at bottom side FC Volendam. Alkmaarder follow in the footsteps of number two PSV in the Eredivisie, who have one point more.

FC Volendam have never won at AZ in the Eredivisie and the last time the ‘Other Orange’ took a point at AZ was in August 1987 (1-1) with Wim Jonk as a player. With Jonk on the bench as coach and given AZ’s form, there were opportunities for a stunt.

AZ had lost their last two Eredivisie games against Feyenoord (1-3) and Excelsior (2-1) and struggled to win at FC Vaduz (1-2) in the Conference League. After fourteen minutes, Volendam added a numerical advantage. Dani de Wit was shown red by referee Joey Kooij after a tough tackle on Robert Mühren’s ankle.

Meet Odgaard and Reijnders

Volendam smelled blood, but AZ was getting stronger and with a man down, AZ still managed to distance themselves. Jens Odgaard received the ball from Yukinari Sugawara and curled the ball through a Volendam leg into the top corner.

Volendam also threatened with a shot from Walid Ould-Chikh, but the home side scored again five minutes before half-time. Tijjani Reijnders put pressure on Ould-Chikh who lost the ball and Jesper Karlsson then launched Reijnders who just shot.

After the break, Walid Ould-Chikh, whose brother Bilal was not selected for disciplinary reasons, stayed behind in the dressing room and Henk Veerman came on.

Connection goal Substitute Veerman

Veerman didn’t take long to justify his substitution, scoring three minutes after the break from a weak AZ defence. Daryl van Mieghem was close to equalizing but AZ goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst saved the shot from the corner.

AZ substitute Vangelis Pavlidis, making a comeback from injury, was wrongly booed for offside on his way to goal. The Greek still managed to put the ball in the net.