AZ earn narrow win over GVVV
Published on 01 februari 12, 00:00Gertjan Verbeek´s team dominated the game from start to finish but failed to convert their dominance into more goals. As expected, AZ were the more adventurous side against GVVV in front of, among other people, some 2500 fans who had been travelling away with their team.
Only 37 seconds were on the clock when Brett Holman sent a shot from close range straight at goalkeeper Johan Jansen. Later on, the former NAC Breda shot-stopper pulled off a string of saves to keep his side in the game.
With AZ pouring forward in search of goals, the visitors took a surprise lead in the 10th minute when Dennis van Meegdenburg, a popular guy in Veenendaal, delivered a cross that somehow sailed over Esteban into the back of the net, which sent the away fans into raptures: 1-0.
AZ were not too impressed, though, and created seven decent chances by comfortably passing the ball around. Adam Maher, Roy Beerens and Charlison Benschop, among other players, were denied by Jansen. Yet AZ restored parity in the 19th minute when Martens curled a free-kick into the top right-hand corner to beat the keeper.
AZ dominated second-half proceedings
AZ also dominated second-half proceedings but again lacked efficiency in front of goal. Benschop shot at keeper Jansen, while Martens sent an effort over the bar and was denied by the keeper. AZ took the lead after 66 minutes when Maher played in Martens who put an unstoppable shot across Jansen and into the far corner of the net: 2-1.
Trailing 2-1, GVVV kept on putting up a brave fight and Joey Snijders´ powerful header ended up in the arms of AZ´s Costa Rican goalkeeper.
AZ failed to put the result beyond doubt in the closing stages. The last minute summed it all up. Martens, Beerens and Altidore had clear-cut chances to score but the Belgian rattled the post, Beerens was denied by the outstanding goalkeeper and Altidore saw a shot cleared off the line by a defender.
The KNVB Beker semi-final draw will take place in
We showed the right mentality, said Verbeek at the post-match conference. We put in a fine performance but should have shown more goalscoring prowess. We only claimed a narrow win, also because GVVV put up a brave fight. They are a good team with wonderful supporters.
MATCH DETAILS:
AZ - GVVV 2-1 (1-1)
KNVB Beker quarter-finals
AZ line-up: Esteban; Dirk Marcellis, Niklas Moisander, Ragnar Klavan, Simon Poulsen (73. Nick Viergever); Adam Maher, Rasmus Elm, Maarten Martens; Roy Beerens, Charlison Benschop (77. Jozy Altidore), Brett Holman (69. Johann Berg Gudmundsson).
GVVV line-up: Johan Jansen; Rodny Hofman, Bart Hulsbos, Michiel van der Valk, Taoufik Adnane; Wouter Bonke, Simon Brouwer, Wilco den Hartog; Martin van Eck (64. Tonnie Cusell), Dennis van Meegdenburg, Joey Snijders (77. Daan van der Valk).
Goals: 10. Van Meegdenburg 0-1, 19. Martens 1-1, 66. Martens 2-1.
Booked: Bonke (GVVV)
Sent off: -
Referee: Wegereef
Attendance: 9.137