Number four AZ failed to get within a point of number three FC Twente on Wednesday evening. Trainer Maarten Martens saw his team fail enormously, especially in the first half of the away match against Heracles Almelo (5-0 defeat). Twente will later play against SC Heerenveen and if they win, the lead over AZ will increase to seven points and a ticket for the preliminary round of the Champions League will be a lot closer.

Brian De Keersmaecker opened the scoring for Heracles after almost twenty minutes of play. The Belgian midfielder was played just outside the box and curled the ball fabulously into the left corner behind goalkeeper Mathew Ryan: 1-0. The goalscorer was recently booked for a tackle on Jordy Clasie and will therefore miss Heracles' next match against Sparta Rotterdam.

Things went from bad to worse for AZ, which completely gave it away in the closing stages of the first half in the Erve Asito. In the 38th minute, Riechedly Bazoer knocked down Jizz Hornkamp in the penalty area, giving Heracles a penalty. Hornkamp himself stood behind the ball and then sent goalkeeper Ryan the wrong way.

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Just two minutes later, Heracles received another penalty. Kristijan Belic unfortunately slipped and took Bryan Limbombe with him in his fall. The arbitration showed no mercy to the AZ player and awarded another penalty. Hornkamp managed to pass Ryan again from eleven meters: 3-0. Shortly before half-time, Eredivisie top scorer Vangelis Pavlidis (24 goals) shot high from close range, exemplary of the visitors' first half.

No comeback

The visibly disappointed Martens intervened halfway and brought Ruben van Bommel and Jayden Addai into the team. Wouter Goes and the unhappy Belic were left behind in the AZ dressing room. Van Bommel immediately gave his calling card, although the substitute failed to pass goalkeeper Michael Brouwer in a promising position.

AZ did show recovery in the early stages of the second half and also had the most ball possession. However, the much-desired tying goal did not materialize, despite good opportunities for Pavlidis and Dani de Wit. Heracles mainly defended in groups after the break and occasionally looked for the counter.

Martens sent Alexandre Penetra and Mees de Wit into the field in the final phase. AZ kept trying until the end, but it never became exciting again in Almelo. Heracles, where Hornkamp was substituted, caused extra pain for the visitors in the final minute. Mohamed Sankoh was just offside and scored from close range to make it 4-0. The same Sankoh also scored the 5-0 well into injury time.

A very important victory for Heracles, which is seven points above the feared sixteenth place thanks to the big win over AZ. On the other hand, it is licking wounds for Martens and associates. There is not much time for that, because the away match against leader PSV awaits on Saturday.

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