Despite a record goal from Vito van Crooij (opening goal after only eight seconds), AZ took three points at Het Kasteel. Pascal Jansen’s team showed resilience and took the victory over the line: 2-3. Sparta thus remains scoreless. Thanks to the victory, the Alkmaarders can now focus carelessly on the Conference League meeting with the Portuguese Gil Vicente.
At Sparta captain Adil Auassar returned to the base after a suspension. That was at the expense of Mike Eerdhuijzen. AZ coach Jansen sent the same eleven players into the field as last Thursday, when Dundee United was defeated 7-0. Home matches of Sparta against the Alkmaarders usually yielded a lot of spectacle. In 2020, AZ was already leading 0-4 after 33 minutes, but the home team then came back to 4-4. Again, the audience saw a lot of goals. For the first time in eight years, Het Kasteel also played on real grass.
Where Sparta did not score in the opening game of the season against SC Heerenveen (0-0), the Sparta supporters bounced up after eight seconds. Van Crooij was launched by Younes Namli, outplayed AZ keeper Hobie Verhulst and made Sparta’s first of the season. There was still a flag or the linesman, but this turned out to be wrong after a VAR minute. With his quick goal, Van Crooij equaled the record of NAC player Koos Waslander. For more than forty years, he alone held the record for the fastest goal ever scored in the Eredivisie. While playing for NAC, he scored eight seconds after kick-off on 20 March 1982 in the game against PEC Zwolle ’82.
AZ gave chase and thought they would equalize in the 32nd minute. Dani de Wit sent Vangelis Pavlidis away, who cut well and beat keeper Nick Olij. Dirk Abels saved on the goal line, however. It was AZ that struck the clock, with about 74 percent possession of the ball and eight shots on goal, against one from Sparta. On the stroke of half-time, AZ received wages for work. Namli lost the ball clumsily and Pavlidis slalomed past Bart Vriends, who hooked the Greek and caused a penalty. The striker unwrapped this present and outwitted Olij through the middle. When both teams wanted to rest, it was made clear to referee Jannick van der Laan that something had happened in the penalty area. Bruno Martins Indi would have committed a foul, but in the end it was decided that nothing was wrong.
More than ten minutes after the break, AZ took a deserved lead. Auassar fouled Dani de Wit and De Wit scored himself from the ensuing attack. Myron van Brederode passed, Pavlidis grazed the ball to De Wit, who managed to hit the roof of the goal from close by. The action prior to the goal led to the great displeasure of Sparta coach Maurice Steijn, who felt that the AZ midfielder made the first offense himself and held on to Auassar. “De Wit always does this, you just have to do your homework”, he snapped at the fourth official.
AZ could not enjoy the lead for long. Two minutes later, after a beautiful pass by Jonathan de Guzman, Van Crooij made his second of the afternoon. With a nice marker he outwitted the emerging Verhulst. AZ straightened up and took the lead just five minutes later when Milos Kerkez got a falling ball past Olij. It was his last achievement as he was replaced by Mees de Wit shortly after his goal.
PSV mercenary Shurandy Sambo made his appearance at Sparta. He filled in for Abels. Sparta was no longer able to launch a final offensive. Because of his persistent comments on the lead, Steijn received a yellow card from referee Van der Laan in injury time. Thanks to the victory, the Alkmaarders can now focus on the Conference League meeting with Gil Vicente.