Malmo FF 0-0 AZ Alkmaar: Gertjan Verbeek disappointed with the result – UEFA Europa League news
In the latest round of UEFA Europa League, Malmo FF managed to record a goalless draw against the in-form AZ Alkmaar at Swedbank Stadion on Wednesday, November 30.
Gertjan Verbeek, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 head coach, has expressed disappointment with his side’s poor show against the Swedish outfit.
The match started in a slow pace with both sides hesitant to take the initiative in breaking the deadlock. The home side were the first to threaten when Math Ranegie’s free-kick found http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniel-Andersson-c9891 in the box. However, the stopper’s header was saved by
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Esteban-Alvarado-c12908, the AZ goalkeeper, with ease.
The hosts failed to grab another opportunity when http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ricardinho-c30946 free-kick.
The Alkmaar outfit never really threatened the home side in the opening 45 minutes and both sides went into the break with the score-line reading 0-0.
In the second-half, AZ created some chances to break the deadlock with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jozy-Altidore-c19634 leading all the attacks. However, the American ace failed to hit the target, heading over the bar from Rasmus Elm’s delivery before firing wide from 12 yards out.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Johan-Dahlin-c18777, just before the hour mark. However, the home goalkeeper parried away his effort comfortably. Five minutes later, Adam Maher tested Dahlin, but his effort was again easily blocked
by the host goalkeeper.
In the 89th minute, AZ had their best goal scoring opportunity when Johann Gudmundsson's corner was met by Etienne Reijnen in the box. However, the 24-year-old stopper headed wide of the target and the chance went begging.
When the referee blew the final whistle, the score-line read 0-0 with both sides sharing the spoils.
Malmo secured their first point following the goalless stalemate while AZ would have to wait until their last group stage encounter against Metalist Kharkiv to secure their place in the last 32.
Verbeek expressed his disappointment and admitted that his side staged a poor show in the first-half.
“We played in a slow pace in the first-half. You have to play in a faster pace against a struggling side. The second-half was though reasonable. We did not give away anything and played better. But I think it was not our day”, Verbeek was quoted as saying
to the media.
Occupying the second spot in the group G, AZ are a mere two points ahead of the third placed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Austria-c2844 Vienna, who will play against Malmo in their final encounter.
Verbeek would be hoping that his side stage a better show in their next Europa League fixture and progress through to the next phase of the competition.
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