Zakaria Aboukhlal was the celebrated man at AZ on Sunday afternoon in the semi-finals of the play-offs against sc Heerenveen (2-0). Shortly after his substitute, the winger took on the second goal and shot the Alkmaarders to the final. Aboukhlal did not have to count on a warm welcome. The attacker was whistled by his own supporters when entering the field and that was not the first time this season.
Aboukhlal came in the lines in the 87th minute and shot AZ in safe harbor a minute later. The attacker took off his shirt and took his gram at the hard core of AZ. “It’s not the first time, I think it’s a bit laughable”, Aboukhlal refers to ESPN at the flute concert. “When I came in they whistled, it’s not the first time. I think I’ve often been important to the team, to the club and to the fans. I think the way they act is childish and laughable. a reaction. You have to ask the fans where it comes from.”
† Match winner Zakaria Aboukhlal is not happy with how the audience in Alkmaar treats him. “laughable and childish”#azhee #deunion pic.twitter.com/EY2ASTkkuw
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) May 22, 2022
Aboukhlal received the flute concerto with cynical applause and clapping. The attacker is not undisputed in Pascal Jansen’s team and has to make do with short raids this season. “As said, I have often been important,” the Moroccan international continues. “I just think this is childish. A lot of things have not gone well this season, but I think that’s the case with everyone. I think it’s all okay. It’s of course emotion. If you make the 2-0 just before the end it comes out with me. I also wanted to get more out of it. As long as I’m at a club I want to be important and fight for a starting spot.”
Kenneth Perez thinks Aboukhlal thinks he’s better than he is. “Five goals as a substitute is good, but if he starts in the base it is neither fish nor meat,” said the analyst. “He has played a good African Cup with Morocco, that will strengthen him in the feeling that he is good. If you don’t get the appreciation you think you deserve, then you can react like this.” Kees Kwakman has nothing good to say about the flute concerts. “I think it has a longer history. Of course you can be dissatisfied as a supporter. If someone lets his man walk three times… But he hasn’t hit a ball yet and you start whistling him. Well, that’s nice for such a player.”