Unlucky AZ suffer late defeat in Eindhoven

Published on 14 april 12, 00:00

EINDHOVEN- AZ suffered a late 3-2 defeat against PSV at the Philips Stadion on Saturday night. Substitute Tim Matavz scored the winner deep into injury time, denting AZ´s chances of qualifying for the Champions League.

After dropping two precious points in the midweek 2-2 draw at home to FC Twente, AZ looked to be returning to winning ways against nearest competitor PSV. Rasmus Elm passed a late fitness test. PSV started the game well and deservedly took the lead after 17 minutes, when Esteban failed to gather Lens´ effort: 1-0.

Underside of the crossbar

AZ were soon back on level terms. Jozy Altidore unleashed a powerful shot in the 24^th minute from 20 yards out which beat Tyton in the top corner. Ten minutes before half-time, Maarten Martens linked up well with Roy Beerens, who fired the ball off the underside of the crossbar and into the net: 1-2. AZ were still leading 1-2 at half-time, thanks to Esteban who made a number of fine saves.

PSV did not impress after the break, but were still in the game after Charlison Benschop was denied by Przemyslaw Tyton, when one-on-one with PSV´s Polish goalkeeper.

Lens

PSV did get back into the game in the 77^th minute, thanks to Jeremain Lens. Substitute Memphis Depay played in the former AZ striker, who left Esteban with no chance with a low shot: 2-2.

Matavz

The game could have gone either way, but an unlucky AZ side left the Philips Stadion empty-handed after conceding a goal at the dying seconds. Lens delivered the cross from the right and Matavz somehow poked the ball home: 3-2.

Verbeek: A poor game

I thought it was a poor game of football, said Verbeek, speaking after the game. AZ were below par. We made many mistakes and were soon trailing 1-0. PSV snatched a lucky late win, scoring the winner ten seconds before the final whistle. We didnt meet expectations and were the architects of our own downfall.

MATCH DETAILS:

PSV AZ 3-2 (1-2)

PSV line-up: Przemyslaw Tyton; Atiba Hutchinson, Marcelo, Timothy Derijck, Jetro Willems; Zakaria Labyad, Ola Toivonen, Kevin Strootman (67. Tim Matavz); Georginio Wijnaldum, Jeremain Lens, Dries Mertens (58. Memphis Depay).

AZ line-up: Esteban; Etiënne Reijnen, Niklas Moisander, Nick Viergever, Simon Poulsen; Adam Maher, Rasmus Elm (46. Ragnar Klavan), Maarten Martens; Roy Beerens, Jozy Altidore (65. Charlison Benschop), Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

Goals: 17. Lens 1-0, 24. Altidore 1-1, 34. Beerens 1-2, 77. Lens 2-2, 90+3. Matavz 3-2.

Booked: Strootman, Labyad, Lens, Toivonen (PSV), Reijnen (AZ).

Referee: Björn Kuipers

Attendance: 34.200