The Amsterdammers and the Alkmaar outfit to go head-to-head in the KNVB beker Cup Round of 16 fixture in January behind closed doors.
Dutch Football Association (KNVB) has decided to replay the suspended KNVB beker Cup fixture between Ajax Amsterdam and AZ Alkmaar behind closed doors on January 19.
The Amsterdam giants were leading the match 1-0 at Amsterdam Arena following a Gregory van der Wiel’s goal. However, the match had to be halted as a home side supporter ran on to the field with intention to attack http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Esteban-Alvarado-c12908, the AZ goalkeeper.
The 22-year-old gloves man, however, saw the fan rushing towards him in time and responded instantly with a flying-kick. Alvarado kicked the fan twice more after that as he lay on the floor, before the onrushing stewards intervened and took the home side
fan into custody.
Bas Nijhuis, the match referee, showed a straight red card to the 22-year-old for misbehaviour, and the decision did not go well for the AZ head coach, Gertjan Verbeek.
The Dutch trainer walked on to the pitch and ordered his players to leave the turf and head towards the dressing room. Despite the home side assuring the Alkmaar outfit of security afterwards, they refused to return to the pitch, and the match had to be
suspended.
The Dutch FA subsequently overturned Alvarado’s red card and also decided that the game would be replayed on January 19.
Although the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 goalkeeper was questioned heavily about the aggression he showed, the 22-year-old calmly replied that he only acted in self defence.
The gloves man also revealed that he was scared when he saw the man running towards him and his first thought was that the intruder might be armed. He hit out at those calling him aggressive by stating that they should experience such an event before judging
his actions.
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