AZ Alkmaar suffered a surprise 4-2 defeat at home to Heerenveen on Saturday evening.

AZ went into the game without striker Myron Boadu, who picked up a knock on international duty with Netherlands U21’s. Ferdy Druijf was given the chance to impress up front in the youngsters absence.

Seven minutes into the game, Heerenveen took the lead when a corner was headed past Marco Bizot by Sven Botman. AZ went looking for an equaliser which eventually came in the 31st minute when Ron Vlaar headed in.

However, Heerenveen stunned the hosts before the break with Rodney Kongolo sending a measured strike into the bottom corner to make it 2-1. Then in injury time, Jens Odgaard converted a cross at the back post to make it 3-1 for the visitors at the break.

AZ needed a strong start to the second half and they got that with Calvin Stengs finding space in the box before firing a strike through Warner Hahn and into the net to pull one back.

The momentum was with the home side but Heerenveen remained dangerous and Odgaard was denied by an excellent Vlaar tackle and a good save by Bizot.

In the 64th minute, Heerenveen netted a fourth in fortunate circumstances. Kongolo headed the ball across goal and Teun Koopmeiners could only head his attempted clearance into his own net.

AZ could not find a way back into the game and they slipped to a poor defeat which sees them fall to fourth in the table. Heerenveen now sit fifth.




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