AZ win again to stay on top

Published on 03 oktober 11, 00:00

AZ began with Ragnar Klavan in the starting line-up instead of Simon Poulsen who was granted some rest. Brett Holman returned from being sick because of what Johann Berg Gudmundsson started on the bench.

Power

VVV-Venlo did not show much power in the first half of the match. AZ dominated and got some chances through Beerens and Holman, who saw his shot blow to bits on the hands of goalkeeper Wilko de Vogt.

Superb

Not surprising for this season was it that Elm opened the scoring with a superb free-kick. It was his twelfth goal of the season from a standard situation: seven free-kicks and five penalty’s. On the edge of the break Elm stopped Ahmed Musa on VVV-Venlo’s one and only dangerous effort.

Offensive

In the second half the home team went on the offensive. It was soon smothered when first Holman saw his effort disallowed for offside and shortly after Maher doubled the scoring: 0-2. Fifteen minutes before the end of the match substitute Poulsen decided the match with his first goal of the season.

Rebound

In the final phase of the match VVV-Venlo was awarded a penalty when Niklas Moisander fouled Musa. Musa’s penalty was saved by Esteban but Robert Cullen scored from the rebound to set the final scoring on 1-3.

MATCH STATISTISCS:

VVV-Venlo - AZ 1-3 (0-1)

Lineup VVV-Venlo: Wilko de Vogt; Michael Timisela, Ferry de Regt, Maya Yoshida, Alexander Emenike; Barry Maguire (73. Uche Nwofor), Marcel Meeuwis (63. Quin Kruijsen), Rogier Molhoek; Ahmed Musa, Michael Uchebo, Robert Cullen.
Lineup AZ: Esteban; Dirk Marcellis (78. Etiënne Reijnen), Niklas Moisander (c), Nick Viergever, Ragnar Klavan (58. Simon Poulsen); Pontus Wernbloom, Rasmus Elm, Adam Maher; Roy Beerens, Jozy Altidore (58. Charlison Benschop), Brett Holman.

Goals: 32. Elm 0-1, 62. Maher 0-2, 73. Poulsen 0-3, 90+1. Cullen 1-3.
Bookings: Marcellis (AZ).
Sent-off: -
Referee: Luc Wouters (Bel).
Attendance: 7.350