Rangers looking to neutralize AZ's fast-paced build up in the first minutes. AZ getting some room on the left flank now and then. Rangers are definitely a class above Auxerre, but AZ manages to score an early 1-0 nevertheless. A beautifully played out attack fired home from close range by Landzaat. Buskermolen comes off injured for Lindenbergh after 18 minutes.
19th minute Landzaat with free passage to the rangers goal, but he misses a great chance for the 2-0.
After half an hour Rangers have more posession, but AZ have the best of the chances. Rangers getting some room up front but AZ the more dangerous side .
AZ in control now... constantly coming in from the flanks. Rangers are pushed back but putting up a good fight. Great match so far!
Obdam almost phvcks it up... giving that Spanish guy a free passage to AZ goal... but the goalie saves it. Close one.
from BBC.co.uk: "The half-time whistle goes in Holland with AZ deservedly ahead against Rangers thanks to Denny Landzaat's 7th minute goal."
2nd half 67th minute. Rangers now clearly dominating, but not creating any big chances. AZ playing a bit chaotic now. Biggest chance of the 2nd half was for AZ after a mixup between Rangers defence and their goalie.
AZ lucky as Lindbergh heads a ball off the line after a Rangers corner. AZ playing very badly at the moment, having trouble completing just about any pass. It will be a tense last seven minutes.
AZ defense doing quite well under pressure.... but they mess it up up front where they hand in the ball any chance they get. 4 minutes official playing time left.
AZ making life difficult for themselves as the match is nearing the end. 2 minutes extra time. Free kick A about 15 metres in Rangers territory. Nelisse to Ramzi. Throw in.
Full time. 1-0 AZ. First half was for AZ, second half was chaos and saw Rangers putting pressure on the home team. But AZ having the better of the play on average.
With Heerenveen drawing Dinamo Zagreb 2-2, we could be looking at 5 Dutch teams in Europe after the winterbreak
AZ was better than Glasgow Rangers, but the second half was the worst half of the season by AZ. I hope that Heerenveen and Ajax will make it into the next round of the UEFA cup. That will be a great result: psv in the CL, Ajax, AZ, Heerenveen and feyenoord in the UEFA cup.
another nice win for AZ - i love watching these guys play, they remind me a bit of the current everton: everyone is on the same page and they dare to be excellent
Just came back from watching the match in a pub in London. I have to admit I had never heard of AZ before this season, and never seen them play. Good stuff, they were clearly the better team. Alkmaar rings a bell, is that where they roll the big bits of cheese around?
Is anyone thinking like me that the Dutch league isn't so bad? PSV held their own v the English champions, AZ beat the Scottish league leaders, Feyenoord the German no. 2.
well, you gotta admit that schalke wasnt playin at full strength and with the right engagement. but nevertheless, i always thuoght that the top 3 teams of the dutch league were somewhat competetive in europe and the rest was crap. should change my view now. heerenveen(sp?) beat vfb stuttgart one or two weeks ago too.
That's my point exactly, I always thought we (the rest) were pretty rubbish as well but it turns out that that's not the case.
well, most of us (the rest) are still crap on the international level. But there are at least a few teams each season that can do well.....Roda had some nice stretches in europe in the past, now it's AZ and Heerenveen
Anyone happen to see that Heerenveen header bounce off the crossbar in the last minute of extra time?