AZ struggled to reach the round of 16 of the KNVB Cup on Wednesday evening. Maarten Martens’ team won 3-1 away at PEC Zwolle, thanks to two goals from captain Sven Mijnans. The Alkmaar side scored two goals in a tumultuous final stage.
AZ got off to a slow start in Zwolle. The Alkmaar side, without the suspended Wouter Goes, struggled to cope with PEC’s energetic play in the opening stages. Dylan Mbayo and Koen Kostons, in particular, made their presence felt on the counterattack. After brief warnings from Oosting and Faberski, the goal came in the 43rd minute. Following a deep ball from Floranus, Kostons escaped Penetra’s marking and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro: 1-0.
AZ emerged from the dressing room stronger in the second half. Mijnans, Parrott, and Patati made their presence felt. PEC was forced to fight back, and in the 53rd minute, a deserved equalizer came. Parrott passed to Mijnans, who had an unhindered shot and slotted the ball into the top corner: 1-1. Shortly after, AZ came close to a second goal through Jensen, whose free kick hit the crossbar.
Zwolle had further chances through Oosting and substitute Shoretire, but AZ finally secured the victory. The 1-2 scoreline came in the 82nd minute: a cross from the right by Mees de Wit was headed in at the far post by Mijnans. PEC goalkeeper Tom de Graaff and his defense were too late. An immediate discussion about offside arose, but because there is no VAR in the second round of the KNVB Cup, referee Danny Makkelie had no choice but to allow the goal.
PEC Zwolle tried to force a breakthrough in the closing stages but couldn’t create another clear-cut chance. Just before the final whistle, Ibrahim Sadiq scored the decisive goal. He struck with a devastating shot, but PEC Zwolle were once again furious with Makkelie for allowing the goal. After AZ’s third goal, cups flew from the stands, prompting a temporary stoppage with just two minutes remaining. Makkelie then quickly blew the final whistle.
PEC Zwolle’s cup adventure thus ended, while AZ barely qualified for the next round. Their potential opponent is still a while away. Due to an upcoming Conference League match for AZ, the cup meeting was brought forward two weeks. The other clubs won’t be in action until mid-December.
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