West Coast Connection Forum
Lifestyle => Sports & Entertainment => Topic started by: mauzip on October 30, 2004, 01:14:31 PM
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Alkmaar seek to make presence felt
Tuesday, 26 October 2004
AZ Alkmaar, who were UEFA Cup runners-up in 1980/81 to Ipswich Town FC, are in their first season of UEFA club competitions since 1982/83.
Strong showing
Ahead of their opening group game against AJ Auxerre the Dutch club have only lost five of 28 previous games in the competitions and have made a fine return this season. In the first round AZ beat FC PAOK Thessaloniki of Greece in both legs, winning 3-2 in Greece and then securing their place in the group stages with a 2-1 return leg success at Alkmaar. In both matches AZ recovered from a goal down.
Sochaux denied
Although they lost the UEFA Cup final to Ipswich in 1981, during that campaign AZ overcame FC Sochaux-Montbéliard at the semi-final stage, the only time they have met French opposition to date in European competitions. The two sides shared a 1-1 draw in Sochaux, with Peter Arntz (14 minutes) putting AZ 1-0 ahead before Philippe Anziani (21) equalised. The return leg proved to be a thriller after Bernard Genghini (9) gave Sochaux an early lead. But AZ hit back through Johnny Metgod (20), Jos Jonker (38) and Jan Peters (65) before Thierry Meyer replied for Sochaux with 20 minutes left, but the Dutch side held on for a 4-3 aggregate win. AZ then lost the first leg of the final 3-0 in Ipswich but then put together a stirring comeback in Alkmaar, winning the second leg 4-2, but losing 5-4 on aggregate.
http://www.uefa.com/competitions/UEFACup/FixturesResults/Round=1976/Match=79743/index.html
We're about to kick some French ass 8)
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Auxerre isn`t an easy opponent......well, let`s see.....
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AZ isn't an easy opponent either ;) Plus we got one of the best coaches on the planet 8)
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Well, Az beat Paok....so why not Auxerre......
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exactly! 8)
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bump
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bump
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why didn't u tell me u made this thread?
az sure is gonna kick some ass
az - feyenoord 4-1!
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az - feyenoord 4-1!
Yeah, Az humiliated Feyenoord.....and Feyenoord also took two red cards......
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Tomorrow is the great day!!
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Tonight it's on!!
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1-0!!!!!!!
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2-0!!
Huysegems for the 2nd time :D 8)
:monkey_dance2:
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AZ for president!
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Huysegems helps out Alkmaar
Thursday, 4 November 2004
By Berend Scholten at Alkmaarderhout
Stein Huysegems scores AZ's first goal.
Stein Huysegems scored twice as AZ Alkmaar followed up their superb 4-1 Eredivisie win over Feyenoord on Sunday by defeating AJ Auxerre in Group F of the UEFA Cup.
Early goal
The home side started strongly and scored with their first attack. Martijn Meerdink's cross from the right went over the head of Barry van Galen, but fell at the feet of Huysegems who fired past goalkeeper Fabien Cool from the edge of the area.
Huysegems again
The early goal lifted Alkmaar and Auxerre were struggling to cope with the home side's pace in attack. After 18 minutes the scoreline became 2-0 with Huysegems again on target with a superb individual effort. This time the Belgian striker picked the ball up on the left wing, ran past three defenders and drove a low shot into the corner of the net.
Alkmaar dominant
The start of the second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Alkmaar showing far more attacking prowess. A well-placed 20-metre lob from Van Galen in the 55th minute whistled just past the top left corner of the Auxerre goal, and the same player went close with a header soon after.
Timmer untroubled
Ivory Coast striker Bonaventure Kalou had a frustrating evening for Auxerre and his powerful forward play failed to create any chances. He was eventually replaced by Belgian forward Luigi Pieroni who failed to find the target with a long-range shot. Alkmaar goalkeeper Henk Timmer enjoyed a comfortable evening as the Dutch side began their Group F campaign with victory.
Amica next
Alkmaar are next away to KS Amica Wronki on 25 November, while Auxerre, who are yet to score after drawing 0-0 with Grazer AK on Matchday 1, are at home to the Polish side on 2 December.
(http://www.uefa.com/MultimediaFiles/Photo/competitions/UEFACup/255021_SMALL.jpg)
(http://www.az.nl/db/WAS418ab3cd107a9/stein_2.jpg)
(http://www.az.nl/db/WAS418ab3cd107a9/stein_juicht.jpg)
(http://www.az.nl/db/WAS418ab3cd107a9/landzaat.jpg)
(http://www.az.nl/db/WAS418ab3cd107a9/juich.jpg)