“Jordy Clasie converts from the center of the box after Ro-Zangelo Daal's initial effort was saved, giving AZ the lead.”
Pivotal“Devin Haen finds the net late on to level the score at 1-1, stunning the home side after they had dominated proceedings.”
Pivotal
AZ Alkmaar
Willem II
Outstanding performance
AZ Alkmaar•MidfielderAZ Alkmaar controlled this match from start to finish, racking up 67% possession, 22 shots and 11 corners against a Willem II side that barely got out of their own half for long stretches. Jordy Clasie's 32nd-minute strike, following good work from Ro-Zangelo Daal and Calvin Stengs, looked set to be the difference as AZ created chance after chance without adding to their tally, missing four big chances along the way. Despite the near-total dominance shown by a dominance rating of 77 to 36, Willem II held firm defensively with 15 tackles and four crucial saves from Maxime Delanghe before Devin Haen struck in the 81st minute to snatch an unlikely point. For AZ, it's a costly failure to convert territorial superiority into a result, while Willem II will take real encouragement from grinding out a draw against the run of play.
How entertaining was this match?
Tonny Vilhena from Willem II wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Dave Kwakman of AZ.
Substitution for AZ: Valdemar Byskov comes on for Jordy Clasie.
Substitution for AZ: Weslley Patati comes on for Calvin Stengs.
AZ wins a corner after Uriel van Aalst concedes.
Attempt missed. Mexx Meerdink's header from the center of the box goes wide to the right, assisted by Mateo Chávez's cross.
Attempt missed. Dave Kwakman from AZ takes a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Hidde ter Avest of Willem II is caught offside.
Mateo Chávez from AZ commits a handball.
Attempt missed. Mexx Meerdink from AZ heads the ball from the center of the box.
Mateo Chávez from AZ misses a left-footed shot from the center of the box, sending it to the left. He was assisted by Peer Koopmeiners after a corner.
Attempt blocked. Mexx Meerdink's left-footed shot from close range is blocked. Ro-Zangelo Daal provided the assist.
AZ wins a corner after Maxim Dekker concedes.
The second half begins with the score at AZ 1, Willem II 0.
The first half ends with AZ leading Willem II 1-0.
The fourth official has indicated there will be 1 minute of added time.
Attempt blocked. Devin Haen from Willem II has a left-footed shot from the right side of the six-yard box that is blocked.
Attempt blocked. Uriel van Aalst from Willem II has his right-footed shot from very close range blocked.
Attempt blocked. Devin Haen (Willem II) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
Devin Haen from Willem II missed an attempt, heading the ball high and wide to the left from the center of the box. The cross was assisted by Tonny Vilhena.
Foul committed by Devin Haen of Willem II.
Lewis Schouten from AZ wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed by Calvin Stengs from AZ, who took a left-footed shot from the center of the box.
Attempt missed. Mexx Meerdink from AZ heads the ball from the right side of the six-yard box but misses to the right. The cross was assisted by Peer Koopmeiners following a corner.
AZ win a corner after Uriel van Aalst concedes.
assist: Mexx Meerdink
Goal! AZ leads Willem II 1-0. Jordy Clasie scores for AZ with a right-footed shot from the center of the box.
Attempt saved. Ro-Zangelo Daal (AZ) has his right-footed shot from the right side of the box saved in the bottom right corner by Maxime Delanghe (Willem II). The assist came from Calvin Stengs.
Foul committed by Finn Stam of Willem II.
Dave Kwakman from AZ is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Corner awarded to AZ after a concession by Nathan Tjoe-A-On.
Foul committed by Tonny Vilhena of Willem II.
Elijah Dijkstra from AZ is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Tonny VilhenaYellow CardTonny Vilhena of Willem II receives a yellow card for a bad foul.
Attempt saved. Uriel van Aalst from Willem II has a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, but it is saved.
Attempt missed by Tonny Vilhena of Willem II, who took a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Foul committed by Jaden Slory of Willem II.
Jari De Busser from AZ is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Finn Stam from Willem II wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul committed by Mexx Meerdink of AZ.
Attempt missed. Per van Loon from Willem II takes a right-footed shot from outside the box.
Tonny Vilhena of Willem II is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Wouter Goes from AZ commits a foul.
Finn Stam from Willem II wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul committed by Mexx Meerdink of AZ.
Foul committed by Nathan Tjoe-A-On of Willem II.
Calvin Stengs from AZ is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Offside called against AZ. Mexx Meerdink is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Elijah Dijkstra (AZ) header from the centre of the box.
AZ win a corner after Tonny Vilhena concedes.
Willem II wins a corner after Jordy Clasie concedes.
Jordy Clasie from AZ misses a left-footed shot from outside the box, sending it to the left. The attempt was assisted by Calvin Stengs after a corner.
Per van Loon from Willem II is awarded a free kick on the right wing.
Mateo Chávez from AZ commits a foul.
Attempt missed. Mexx Meerdink from AZ heads the ball from the center of the box.
Corner awarded to AZ after a concession by Maxim Dekker.
Calvin Twigt from Willem II commits a foul.
Dave Kwakman from AZ wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Maxim Dekker from Willem II commits a foul.
Mexx Meerdink from AZ is awarded a free kick in the defensive half.
Jaden Slory from Willem II is awarded a free kick on the left wing.
Calvin Stengs from AZ committed a foul.
First half begins.
Table-topping AZ Alkmaar look to extend a perfect five-game start against a Willem II side rooted near the bottom without a win all season. On paper this is a mismatch, with AZ heavily fancied to keep their flawless form intact at the AFAS Stadion.
