AZ Alkmaar had a good performance against their main group rivals tarnished by a late goal from PAOK.
- By Michael Bell
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The Greek side started well and a fierce shot from Alexandros Tziolis crashed the top of the bar, with Alvarado totally beaten in the home goal.
Just before the half hour mark Aron Johannsson had a great chance to open the scoring when he latched onto a terrible backpass before rounding the keeper, but his shot went wide from a tight angle.
In the second half, Nemanja Gudelj missed a good opportunity before the crossbar once again saved the home side as Lucas so his header come of the bar.
Eight minutes from time Jeffrey Gouweleeuw stabbed the ball home at the back post to give AZ the lead.
However in the 93rd minute Dimitris Salpingidis spoiled AZ’s part by rifling in at the back post following a freekick.
A fair result for the Alkmaar side, but certainly a good performance against a side that were always going to be the big challenge of the group.
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