Yukinari Sugawara scored the only goal of the game as AZ Alkmaar defeated Emmen 1-0.

After two defeats in a row, AZ Alkmaar headed to rock-bottom Emmen looking to regain some confidence.

However, the visitors failed to impress in the first half with Albert Gudmundsson again found lacking in front of goal. The Icelandic winger missed a great chance before hitting the bar. At the other end, Caner Cavlan was denied by Marco Bizot.

New Emmen goalkeeper Michael Verrips then helped keep the scores level early in the second half with an excellent save to deny Calvin Stengs. From the follow up, Sugawara hit the crossbar.

AZ struggled to find the net but in the 71st minute, the deadlock was finally broken by Sugawara, who found the net from a low cross by Gudmundsson.

The rest of the game then saw AZ miss several opportunities to add a second goal but in the end it didn’t matter.

The three points mean AZ are now fourth while Emmen remains without a win and 18th,




admin (14220 Posts)

Follow @Footballoranje_ on Twitter