The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AZ-c38571 Alkmaar boss has expressed confidence ahead of his side’s Dutch cup clash against FC Dordrecht, while revealing that his side is aiming for at least a finish in the top six Eredivisie sides.
AZ Alkmaar head coach, Gertjan Verbeek, has expressed optimism ahead of his side’s upcoming KNVB beker Cup game against FC Dordrecht at GN Bouw Stadion on Tuesday, December 18.
The 50-year-old tactician has revealed that his side wants to continue fighting for a spot to play in UEFA Europa League next term, and that too by winning the Dutch cup.
“We want to be fighting for a place in Europe this season. This is from the league position, but this is now very difficult because we have lost a lot of points”, Verbeek said while talking to journalists in the pre-match press conference.
The Alkmaar outfit have been struggling to perform at their best since the start of the ongoing 2012/13 season. Occupying the 12th spot on the Eredivisie table, a mammoth 17 points behind the fourth placed, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitesse-c40905 Arnhem.
AZ are heading into the game on the back of a hard fought 1-2 win over PEC Zwolle on December 15. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jozy-Altidore-c19634 netted twice in the opening 45 minutes to give the visiting side a deserving lead.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Denni-Avdic-c10901 pulled one back for the hosts after the break, but it was not enough to change the outcome of the game.
And the Alkmaar outfit would be hoping that the victory might change their fortunes, as it was their first win after remaining winless in six games.
Verbeek has now urged his troops to put in their 100 percent in the upcoming game, as a good performance in the cup competition will certainly take the pressure away from all the players.
“Performing well in the cup would take the pressure away. That's the pressure that we as a club have imposed on ourselves. The pressure of the players who want to perform and repeat what we did last season. And of course the pressure of sponsors, public and the press that help us remember our goals”, Verbeek concluded.
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