Alk Maar(k) thum dae a lot next week!
EUFA Cup
Thursday, 8th March 2007
Attendance: 28,452
Newcastle United 4 AZ Alkmaar 2
After Saturday's "bored to tears" effort against Middlesbrough I have to say that I feared the worst. No more "Mickey Mouse" teams as in earlier rounds. We are playing against a proper team riding high in the Dutch league and coached by the legendary Louis van Gaal --what a record he has--and the first few minutes did not change my opinion as the visitors confidently knocked the ball around. But what do I know?!
By the eighth minute we were a goal ahead and flying! It may have been an own-goal by Steinsson, but the build-up and delivery were a treat to watch. A fantastic back-heel from Damien Duff sent Kieran Dyer storming into the box and, although on his weaker side he put a great ball into the six-yard box which was virtually un-defendable.
A second goal was on the cards and, when it came, it was a beauty. A fine ball from the classy Solano to Sibierski who had the vision to spot another great forward run by Dyer. Another tremendous flick and our Kieran is through behind a string of defenders. This time he confidently guided the ball over the advancing 'keeper Who says the boy can't finish?!
A minute later and it was three!! Sibierski was again involved, playing a good ball to Martins on the edge of the area. Goalscorer that he is, it never crossed his mind to pass the ball and, instead went past two players along the 18 yard line and sent a fine right footer past the flailing Waterman.
Alkmaar could have folded completely but showed enough character to stem the tide and got back into it with a headed goal from former Rangers striker Arveladze. There will be question-marks against the marking but credit must be given to Jenner who put in a fantastic first time cross.
So was it to be panic stations? Why, not likely! Again Solano showed what a good footballer he is, as he looked up to see Martins pull back out of the six yard box and found him perfectly and the striker joyously shot home to put us 4-1 up at the interval. Who would have believed it? Certainly not me!
It was impossible for the second half to be anything like the first but both teams played some good football and the best chance fell to Martins who failed to get his hat-trick when the 'keeper blocked his effort with his feet.
The only goal of the second half came via a dubious penalty given for a questionable hand ball against Steven Taylor--this apart the ref had a great game--and, even then, Given saved Dembele's penalty and a magnificent piece of defending by Parker ensured that the same player did not slot in the rebound. However the ball unfortunately broke to Koevermans, who slapped it past the diving Bramble.
A great performance and a two goal lead but we will still have to be wary over in Holland against a team who is undefeated at home in Europe, But with the frightening pace of Dyer and Martins this record is there to be broken and we must surely believe that we can score over there putting pressure on the home side to score three and be vulnerable to breakaways.
We wait with baited breath!
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