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AZ boss Gertjan Verbeek: We are a lot stronger at home

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Despite the 1-0 defeat in the first-leg of UEFA Europa League play-offs round against Anzhi Makhachkala, the 50-year-old tactician expresses optimism that his side can progress through to the group stages of the competition.
In the first-leg of the UEFA Europa League play-offs round, Anzhi Makhachkala secured a hard fought 1-0 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar at Stadion Lokomotiv on Thursday, August 23.
The AZ coach, Gertjan Verbeek, was disappointed with the loss, but expressed confidence that his side can progress through to the next stage of the competition after winning the return leg at home.
The Dutch trainer, who started his professional coaching career at Heerenveen in the 1984/85 season, warned the Russian side by claiming that his side is very strong while playing in front of their home crowd.
“It was a disappointing result, and I think could have been earned. However, at home, with our loyal fans behind us, we are a lot stronger. There were opportunities here, and there will certainly come more at home”, Verbeek was quoted as saying to Voetbal
International.
The 50-year-old tactician went on to heap praise on Anzhi head coach, Guus Hiddink, but stressed that his side will try their level best to eliminate his side.
“Guus Hiddink is an excellent coach, and he will surely win trophies at Anzhi. But we will try to eliminate his side out of Europa League, and progress to group stages of the tournament”, Verbeek concluded.
Anzhi started the match brightly, and penetrated through the Alkmaar outfit’s defence on several occasions in the opening half. However, the home side failed to break the deadlock until the half-time break.
Guus Hiddink’s troops resumed action aggressively in the second-half, and eventually took the lead in the 51st minute through Lacina Traore. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mbark-Boussoufa-c25085 played a brilliant low cross inside the box from the right flank, and Traore did well
to poke the ball into the back of the net.
AZ failed to score the equaliser until the full time whistle, while Anzhi continued to assert their authority to claim a 1-0 win at the end.
The return leg will be played between the two sides at AFAS Stadion on August 30.

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