AZ did itself a very disservice on Saturday afternoon at the start of the new Eredivisie season. Pascal Jansen’s team was the dominant party on a visit to RKC Waalwijk, but had to bow due to a goal from Michiel Kramer: 1-0. The most striking event took place before the start of the game, as Jansen had not cleared a starting spot for Teun Koopmeiners. According to the AZ trainer, the midfielder would be too busy with a transfer.
The midfield was therefore formed by Jordy Clasie, Dani de Wit and Tijjani Reijnders. Furthermore, the place under the bar was taken by Hobie Verhulst, who is therefore temporarily replacing Marco Bizot who left for Stade Brest. Besides Koopmeiners, Owen Wijndal was also absent due to an injury. Vangelis Pavlidis, who came over from Willem II, started from the bench. Newcomers Alexander Büttner, Michiel Kramer and Iliass Bel Hassani started on the side of the home team. The duel also meant a special get-together between father Joseph and son Thijs Oosting, who made his debut at AZ.
Early on in the game, AZ thought it would take the lead, when Zakaria Aboukhlal found the net. However, the attacker did so in an offside position and was whistled back by referee Joey Kooij. A goal by De Wit after ten minutes of play was also rejected for the same reason. The Alkmaarders dominated in the initial phase of the game. Shortly after De Wit’s disallowed goal, Albert Gudmundsson shot wide and a volley from Clasie also failed. RKC countered that with a possibility from Bel Hassani, but the midfielder barely saw his effort saved.
Against the odds, RKC surprisingly took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Jurien Gaari took care of the preparatory work on the right side of the field, served Kramer and saw how the striker rounded off with the inside of the foot. In the second act, little changed in terms of the game and it was AZ that called the shots. Jansen’s team was the dominant party, but was unable to force a goal. Aboukhlal saw a shot being cracked after an hour of play and an attempt by De Wit could not be promoted to a goal.
Jansen attempted an offensive in the final phase and brought Koopmeiners into the line after an hour of play. Pavlidis also came on the field for Jesper Karlsson at the same time. The Greek immediately had a shooting opportunity, but found the hands of Joel Pereira. The same Pereira was in the way again moments later with a shot from close range by Pavlidis. Jansen granted Ernest Poku his debut, who was only seventeen, but was unable to prevent a defeat.
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