AZ brush aside cup minnows
Published on 01 november 12, 00:00
AZ fielded a strong side for the clash unlike their Eredivisie peers in the competition but had to perform at their best on an artificial pitch in wet conditions. Despite the slippery surface, Johann Berg Gudmundsson quickly opened the scoring with a low strike into the corner of the Sneek goal making it 1-0.
It took some time before the match ignited as AZ failed to create any real chances despite being the dominant force. Gudmundsson saw a shot saved by Sneek goalkeeper Bas Douma and one shot fly wide and Sneeks Marc Homme van der Veen fired straight into the hands of AZ goalkeeper Esteban.
After the break, the rain subsided and AZ took the game to their lower league opponents. With AZ bossing the game, Gudmundsson increased his tally making it 2-0 after he was assisted by Jozy Altidore widening the gap between the sides. However, a comeback looked on the cards when Sneeks Van der Veen fired home a free kick beyond a helpless Esteban.
However, hope was restored for AZ moments after when Altidore grabbed third after a goalmouth scramble. With a slender lead, Verbeek rang the changes and made some substitutions hoping to see the game out and AZ continued to press in the opposing half. AZ inflicted another blow on Sneek midway through the second half when Altidore notched his second goal of the game making it 4-1.
FC Dordrecht
AZ now play FC Dordrecht away in the next round of the cup; the First Division side went through after beating amateur side Scheveningen. The match will be played on December 18th, 19th or 20th.
MATCH STATISTICS:
SWZ Boso Sneek AZ 1-4 (0-1)
Lineup SWZ Boso Sneek: Bas Douma; Nickel Nzoko (60. Michael Grendel), Daniel Zwart, Marco Ahmed (80. Chekina Nzoko), Kevin Huitema; Daniel Bennik, Erolind Derguti (72. Cees Smaal), Marc Homme van der Veen; Ramon Giro Batalla, Thijs Goes, Freek de Jong.
Lineup AZ: Esteban; Dirk Marcellis, Etiënne Reijnen (57. Thomas Lam), Nick Viergever, Donny Gorter; Adam Maher, Markus Henriksen, Viktor Elm (64. Steven Berghuis); Roy Beerens, Jozy Altidore (72. Erik Falkenburg), Johann Berg Gudmundsson.
Goals: 4. Gudmundsson 0-1, 48. Gudmundsson 0-2, 55. Van der Veen 1-2, 56. Altidore 1-3, 60. Altidore 1-4.
Bookings: Derguti, Grendel (SWZ Boso Sneek)
Sent-offs: -
Referee: Ed Janssen
Attendance: 4.500