All square in The Hague

Published on 10 november 12, 00:00

AZ started the game without playmaker Adam Maher who had to pull out with gastroenteritis and Erik Falkenburg deputised in his absence. AZ made an early impression creating several chances and ADO came close when Tom Beugelsdijk headed wide from a corner kick.

AZ lead
Falkenburg, who looked lively from the start, opened AZ ‘s account after he was fed through by Nick Viergever. The AZ midfielder bypassed the ADO goalkeeper and finished from a tight angle giving AZ the lead. AZ dominated from that point onwards but were restricted to a single opportunity from Roy Beerens who was unable to capitalise.

Home side equaliser
With ADO struggling to make an impact, it was AZ who gifted their hosts a goal when Etënne Reijnen’s pass back to Esteban was intercepted by Charlton Vicento who drew the home side level at 1-1.

ADO strike again
Immediately after the break, ADO Den Haag winded AZ when they took the lead when Nick Viergever fouled Rydell Poepon in the penalty area. The referee awarded a penalty and Danny Holla stepped up for the home side and beat Esteban from the spot making it 2-1.

Altidore to the rescue
With AZ 2-1 down, Verbeek’s men went in search of a goal and upped the ante. Jozy Altidore had an opportunity from a Beerens’ cross and headed wide but he made amends moments later when he escaped from Beugelsdijk’s shackles and hammered the ball past ADO Den Haag goalkeeper Rober Zwinkels. With a draw on the cards, both teams pressed for victory but neither side could break the stalemate.

Next game
Next week AZ play FC Groningen away on Saturday (20:45 hrs).

MATCH STATISTICS:
ADO Den Haag - AZ 2-2 (1-1)

Lineup ADO Den Haag: Robert Zwinkels; Kenneth Omeruo, Vito Wormgoor, Tom Beugelsdijk, Aaron Meijers; Danny Holla, Jens Toornstra, Kevin Jansen; Tjaronn Chery, Rydell Poepon (62. Mike van Duinen), Charlton Vicento.
Lineup AZ: Esteban; Dirk Marcellis, Etiënne Reijnen, Nick Viergever, Donny Gorter; Erik Falkenburg, Markus Henriksen, Viktor Elm (54. Steven Berghuis); Roy Beerens (64. Mikhail Rosheuvel), Jozy Altidore, Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
 
Goals: 22. Falkenburg 0-1, 34. Vicento 1-1, 47. Holla 2-1 (pen), 64. Altidore 2-2.
Bookings: Omeruo, Holla (ADO Den Haag), Esteban (AZ)
Sent-offs: -
Referee: Ruud Bossen
Attendance: 10.200