AZ forget to win in Vienna

Published on 03 november 11, 00:00

Instead of the match against Austria Wien in Alkmaar AZ started convincing in the Franz-Horr-Stadium. With Brett Holman back from groin injury and Nick Viergever replacing suspended Niklas Moisander AZ took the initiative after the first two opportunities for the home team by Nacer Barazite (header) and Zlatko Januzovic (free-kick).

Within twenty minutes AZ was awarded a penalty for a handball when Holman tried to reach Jozy Altidore. Of course it was captain Rasmus Elm who stoical converted the penalty: 0-1. Not much later Barazite saw his chance to equalize saved by AZ goalkeeper Esteban.

The best chance for AZ to double the scoring was for Roy Beerens but his effort missed subtlety. Pontus Wernbloom didn’t need subtlety on the edge of half-time when he headed home rock-hard an Elm corner for the 0-2.

In the second half the game play didn’t change with AZ being the dominating team. However Austria Wien only needed three minutes to score twice. First Manuel Ortlechner paid good attention in the penalty area: 0-1. Second Barazite equalized when Esteban couldn’t hold on to an earlier effort.

In the final phase of the match Beerens and Elm had opportunities with low shots. The best chance to take the win in Vienna was for Jozy Altidore when he was sent away by Adam Maher. Alone in front of the goalkeeper he fired the ball over the goal.

With six points AZ still stay second in group G behind Metalist Kharkiv (ten points). Austria Wien is third with five points while number four Malmö FF have none. Next match for AZ is away against Malmö FF on November 30. On December 15 Metalist Kharkiv come to Alkmaar for the last match of the group stage.

MATCH STATISTICS:

Austria Wien – AZ 2-2 (0-2)

Lineup AZ: Esteban; Etiënne Reijnen, Nick Viergever, Ragnar Klavan, Simon Poulsen; Pontus Wernbloom, Rasmus Elm, Adam Maher; Roy Beerens, Jozy Altidore (87. Charlison Benschop), Brett Holman (68. Celso Ortiz).
Lineup Austria Wien: Heinz Lindner; Florian Klein, Georg Margreitter, Manuel Ortlechner, Markus Suttner; Alexander Gorgon (46. Roland Linz), Alexander Grünwald (58. Michael Liendl), Tomás Jun (89. Marko Stankovic), Florian Mader, Zlatko Januzovic; Nacer Barazite.
 
Goals: 19. Elm 0-1, 44. Wernbloom 0-2, 58. Ortlechner 1-2, 61. Barazite 2-2.
Bookings: Junuzovic, Mader (Austria Wien), Viergever, Wernbloom (AZ).
Sent-off: -
Referee: Tony Chapron.
Attendance: 10.500