UEFA Conference League: AZ Alkmaar Beats Vaduz 1-0

Get the latest updates on the UEFA Conference League match between Vaduz and AZ Alkmaar, where AZ secured a 1-0 win. Read more about the match details and upcoming fixtures.

AZ seized a golden chance to take the lead when Florian Hoxha fouled Troy Parrott in the box...

AZ Overcomes Adversity to Reach Conference League Play-Off Round

Eredivisie outfit AZ Alkmaar secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over FC Vaduz in Liechtenstein, advancing to the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League. Despite facing an early challenge with a red card, AZ managed to hold on and capitalize on their opponent's numerical advantage.

Strong Teamwork and Debuts Shine

Mexx Meerdink earned his first start of the season, while Mateo Chavez made his full debut for AZ. Zico Buurmeester also returned to the starting lineup for the first time since last season, showcasing Maarten Martens' willingness to shake things up. The team's resilience and strategy ultimately paid off, securing a crucial win.

AZ Overcomes Early Setback

AZ Alkmaar faced an early challenge when Ro-Zangelo Daal was given two yellow cards within the first seven minutes, leaving the team down to ten men. Despite being outnumbered, AZ held firm, and Vaduz struggled to create significant scoring opportunities. The Alkmaar side's compact defense proved effective in containing Vaduz's attacks.

Defensive Resilience Secures Win

In both halves, AZ allowed Vaduz to control possession, relying on their defensive solidity to see out the match. This strategy paid off, as AZ successfully defended their 3-0 aggregate lead and advanced to the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League. The team's resilience and teamwork were key to overcoming the adversity of being a man down.

AZ Capitalizes on Penalty Opportunity

AZ seized a golden chance to take the lead when Florian Hoxha fouled Troy Parrott in the box. Parrott, who had replaced Mexx Meerdink in the final 15 minutes, didn't take the penalty himself initially but the penalty was taken by another teammate and left Vaduz goalkeeper Benjamin Buchel no chance, securing a 1-0 win for AZ.

Upcoming Match

AZ will next face the winner of PFC Levski Sofia/Sabah Masazir vs Winner AZ Alkmaar/FC Vaduz on August 21 or 28, 2025, in the UEFA Conference League. The exact date and details will depend on the outcome of the preceding matches.