AZ keert terug in Europees toneel met symbolische treffer

2026-02-26 sport

Alkmaor, donderdag, 26 februari 2026.
AZ heeft zijn eer gered in de UEFA Conference League door FC Noah met 2-1 te verslaan over twee duels. De doorslag kwam in de 39e minuut, toen Sven Mijnans scoorde na een vrije trap van Peer Koopmeiners. Die combinatie herinnerde aan het WK 2022, toen broer Teun Koopmeiners dezelfde rol had bij een goal van Wout Weghorst. Mijnans, net terug van blessure, maakte zijn vierde doelpunt dit Europees seizoen. Het publiek in het AFAS Stadion vierde de treffer als een historisch moment. Met deze zege staat AZ virtueel in de achtste finale, terwijl FC Noah – een club van pas negen jaar oud – zijn spectaculaire campagne niet kon afronden.

symbolic equalizer sets tone early

Ro-Zangelo Daal opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a powerful strike into the bottom corner. The goal followed a blocked shot by returning midfielder Kees Smit, who had been sidelined for a month due to injury [1]. Ball possession data shows AZ dominated early, holding 77% of the ball in the first half [3]. FC Noah managed only two shots, none on target, during the same period [4]. The quick goal shifted momentum firmly toward the home side, energizing the crowd of 11,531 spectators at AFAS Stadion [5].

koopmeiners-inspired move doubles lead

In the 39th minute, Peer Koopmeiners executed a clever free kick routine, passing laterally to Sven Mijnans who struck decisively past the goalkeeper [6]. This marked Mijnans’ fourth Conference League goal of the campaign [5]. The play drew immediate comparisons to Netherlands’ World Cup 2022 quarter-final goal where Wout Weghorst scored off a similar setup assisted by Teun Koopmeiners [7]. Video replays confirmed no foul occurred during the buildup, clearing the goal after a brief VAR check [6]. The scoreline gave AZ a 2–1 aggregate advantage.

armenian visitors struggle under pressure

Despite confidence expressed before the match, FC Noah failed to sustain offensive pressure throughout the first half [8]. Their lone dangerous moment came from a rehearsed corner in the eighth minute, which resulted in a high miss [6]. Armenian league leaders since 2025, FC Noah entered this tie ranked fifth domestically after 14 matches [3]. However, lack of competitive action since December affected sharpness, relying solely on friendlies for preparation [9]. Coach Sandro Perkovic acknowledged pre-match readiness but could not translate belief into performance [8].

strategic importance and upcoming fixtures

With the win, AZ advances virtually to the round of sixteen in the Conference League [6]. They now await either AEK Athens or Sparta Prague in the next stage [3]. As the sole surviving Dutch club in European competition this season, expectations remain high [5]. Meanwhile, focus shifts domestically to an upcoming KNVB Cup clash against Telstar on 28 February 2026 [3]. Notably, Telstar manager Anthony Correia attended the match, reportedly assessing AZ ahead of the cup confrontation [1].

Bronnen

Conference League AZ