An excellent performance from striker Aron Johannsson inspired AZ Alkmaar to a 4-0 win over 10-man Heracles at the AFAS Stadion.
- By Michael Bell
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The opening goal came for the home side came on 17 minutes as right back Mattias Johansson burst into the box before setting up Aron Johannsson to fire into the net from close range.
The American international nearly netted AZ’s second minutes later, but his effort came back off the woodwork after being played in by Jeffrey Gouweleeuw. On 25 minutes Heracles poor start to the game got worse, as after Johannsson was played through on goal, he went down under a challenge by Milano Koenders, and the defender was shown a straight red card.
Johannsson continued his excellent play by netting the second goal on 37 minutes, as once again he collected Johansson’s pass before spinning round two defenders, and slotting into the net.
Simon Poulsen hit the bar with a header in the second half, before AZ eventually made it 3-0 ten minutes before the end with Johansson firing a low shot into the bottom corner from the right hand side of the box.
With the last kick off the game Viktor Elm fired a long range effort into the top corner to make it 4-0 for the home side.
The win keeps AZ 7th this week, and their slim hopes of a top four finish remain’s intact, while Heracles sit 12th.