AZ draw 1-1 in Kharkiv

Published on 29 september 11, 00:00

AZ started the match with Johann Berg Gudmundsson for sick Brett Holman and Ragnar Klavan for overtired Nick Viergever. The last time AZ have won an away match in Europa was in September 2007 when Portuguese side Paços de Ferreira was beaten.

AZ had a good start of the match and Metalist Kharkiv did not know what to do with the clever combinations of their opponent. In the 26th minute Jozy Altidore received the ball from Ragnar Klavan and with a low shot he beat goalkeeper Oleksandr Goryainov: 0-1.

Metalist got some long distance shots but the most danger came from the visiting AZ. A header from Altidore was saved by Goryainov, an Adam Maher shot flew over the goal and a Johann Berg Gudmundsson effort was blocked. Roy Beerens forgot to set Altidore alone in front of Goryainov.

All changed after the break when Metalist Kharkiv started to put more and more pressure on AZ and created some good opportunities. Goalkeeper Esteban stopped an effort from Jonathan Cristaldo and saw his header hit the post.

Substitute Marko Devic saw his effort go wide, but forward Taison did manage to score the equalizer. In the final phase of the match AZ even came close to produce the winning goal, but Pontus Wernbloom’s header was saved by Goryainov.

The other match in group G between Malmö FF and Austria Wien ended 1-2. AZ stay on top of the group with four points, just as much as Metalist but with a better goal difference. Austria Wien is third with three points, Malmö FF close the table with zero points. On October 20th Austria Wien will be AZ´s next opponent in the Europa League when they visit the AFAS Stadium.

Europa League

Lineup Metalist Kharkiv: Oleksandr Goryainov; Cristian Villagra, Papa Gueye, Oleksandr Romanchuk; Edmar, Juan Manuel Torres (70. Marko Devic); José Ernesto Sosa, Cleiton Xavier, Taison (90+2. Oleg Shelayev); Jonathan Cristaldo.
Lineup AZ: Esteban; Dirk Marcellis, Niklas Moisander, Ragnar Klavan, Simon Poulsen; Pontus Wernbloom, Rasmus Elm (77. Nick Viergever), Adam Maher; Roy Beerens, Jozy Altidore (81. Charlison Benschop), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (78. Celso Ortiz).

Goals: 26. Altidore 0-1, 76. Taison 1-1.
Bookings: Torres, Papa, Taison (Metalis Kharkiv), Altidore, Wernbloom, Poulsen, Elm (AZ).
Sent-off: -
Referee: Marcin Borski (Pol).
Attendance: 34.000