A huge blunder from goalkeeper Esteban Alvarez cost his side victory as AZ Alkmaar had to settle for a 3-3 draw against Excelsior.
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AZ Alkmaar welcomed back striker Aron Johannsson to the starting line-up as they went searching for their first league win under John van den Brom, but it was Excelsior who took the lead on 10 minutes. Jordan Botaka’s cross from the right found Adil Auassar in the box, and the midfielder directed the ball past Esteban, who was back in goal after a knee injury.
The home side equalised just after the half hour mark with Nemanja Gudelj firing an unstoppable strike into the top corner from just outside the box. However the home side weren’t level for long before Excelsior once again took the lead five minutes from the break thanks to a solo effort from Khalid Karami, who weaved through two challenges before firing into the bottom corner.
Johannsson and Robert Muhren both missed huge chances to level for AZ, while Tom van Weert struck the bar as Excelsior threatened to extend their lead early in the second half.
On 68 minutes AZ were level through an Kevin van Dierman own goal, and five minutes later they were leading as Maumer Tankovic smashed the ball into the top corner from inside the box.
However Van den Brom’s wait for a win goes on as with five minutes left a poor cross into the box seemed to be a simple catch for Esteban but the goalkeeper inexplicably allowed the ball to slip out his hands and substitute Carlo de Reuver was on hand to stab in the equaliser.
The point each sees AZ Alkmaar sit 11th and Excelsior a place behind them in 11th.
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