Dramatic loss AZ against NAC Breda

Published on 18 december 11, 00:00

AZ started without Roy Beerens, who was reported ill on Saturday. The winger was replaced by Charlison Benschop. AZ got some good chances in the early stage of the match. Benschop found NAC Breda goalkeeper Ten Rouwelaar on his way, Adam Maher saw his shot go over the goal and Rasmus Elm hit the post.

Against the run of the play it was NAC Breda that opened the scoring after first Robbert Schilder was close by. Anthony Lurling took advantage of negligent defending from Etiënne Reijnen and chipped the ball across AZ goalkeeper Esteban: 1-0.

AZ were not impressed and kept controlling the game. Before the break they got another two major opportunities. Pontus Wernbloom’s first effort was almost on the goal line saved by Schilder, his second was saved by Donny Gorter. On the edge of halftime Brett Holman succeeded in beating Ten Rouwelaar with a low shot: 1-1.

After the break Benschop took over Jozy Altidore’s position as centre forward, because the American was replaced by winger Fernando Lewis. Benschop got two good chances but was first stopped by Ten Rouwelaar and later by Eric Botteghin.

Meanwhile Holman missed the best chances of the match. First he failed in front of open goal, second he missed alone in front of Ten Rouwelaar. In the final minute of the match AZ got the door slammed in its face, when AZ hireling Milano Koenders beat Esteban from a goalmouth scramble: 2-1.

MATCH STATISTICS:
NAC Breda – AZ 2-1 (1-1)

Lineup NAC Breda: Jelle ten Rouwelaar; Milano Koenders, Jordy Buijs, Eric Botteghin, Donny Gorter (79. Mike Zonneveld); Roly Bonevacia, Tim Gilissen, Robbert Schilder; Florian Jozefzoon (46. Ömer Bayram), Santi Kolk (46. Alex Schalk), Anthony Lurling.
Lineup AZ: Esteban; Etiënne Reijnen, Niklas Moisander, Ragnar Klavan; Simon Poulsen; Pontus Wernbloom, Rasmus Elm, Adam Maher; Charlison Benschop, Jozy Altidore (46. Fernando Lewis), Brett Holman (85. Johann Berg Gudmundsson).

Goals: 31. Lurling 1-0, 45. Holman 1-1, 90. Koenders 2-1.
Bookings: Gilissen, Koenders (NAC Breda)
Sent-off: -
Referee: Danny Makkelie
Attendance: 17.720