New defeat AZ just before game with Anderlecht

GAMES Anderlecht may hold out hope for the double European clash against AZ. The Dutch club suffered its third consecutive points loss in the league tonight. It lost 0-1 to Sparta. 


After a defeat against Twente just before the international break and a draw at Heerenveen just after, this defeat makes it clear that AZ is in a down period. The slightly injured Vangelis Pavlidis started on the bench and without him AZ hardly created any chances. On the stroke of half-time, Sparta took the 0-1 lead after Beukema was put into the wind by ex-Lommel player Saito.

On the hour, coach Janssen brought on Pavlidis, but it did not do much good. AZ had a lot of ball possession, but did little with it. Sparta easily held their ground and on the counter they hit the bar.

AZ remains 1 on 9 and is in danger of losing touch with the top three. 

AZ played with: Ryan, Sugawara, Beukema, Hatzidiakos (70' Bazoer), Kerkez, Reijnders, Clasie, Odgaard, Mijnans, Mihailovic (59' Lahdo), Meerdink (59' Pavlidis)