Late double delivers full points for Alkmaar against defiant Shels
FULL POINTS: AZ Alkmaar celebrate Mees de Wit’s goal. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Shelbourne put on yet another spirited show on the European stage, but were left with nothing to show for their endeavours at the AFAS Stadion as the home side eventually ran out 2-0 winners.
Second half goals from Mees de Wit and a stunner from substitute Isak Jensen ensured the three points stayed in Alkmaar but were made to really work for the victory. With just a solitary point to show for their valiant efforts to date, The Reds had eyed a major upset but as expected the home side made most of the early running.
But to their credit last season's Champions were not overawed by any stretch of the imagination, disrupting the pressure well with a couple of early corners and some strong forward play by Mipo Odubeko.
Their Dutch hosts sat just two points ahead of them in the league standings at kick-off and have lost their last three in all competitions but did boast the in-form Irish goal-scoring hero Troy Parrott in attack.
The Dubliner continued his hot streak with a smart turn and finish in Sunday’s loss to Herenveen but was quiet in the opening period bar a near post strike that was adjudged to be offside.
Making just his first senior start for the fleet footed 18-year-old Wassim Bouziane caused all sorts of problems on the left hand side, but thankfully for Joey O’Briens' side showed his naivety with his decision making letting him down at the crucial moment.
On the stroke of half time the game, and Parrott sprung to life going agonisingly close to getting his 15th of the season when he picked up a sharp free kick routine, but dragged the shot just wide of the bottom corner. The threat from set-pieces looked the best avenue for the well rested visitors, fresh from a warm weather training camp in Spain, who went straight down the opposite end and, following another deep corner, saw Odubeko smash a powerful volley at Owusu-Oduro from close range.
Both sides played with a lot more purpose following the restart, Shels bravely pressed high and grew in confidence in possession as the locals grew restless.
As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, the home fans were swiftly back onside as the pressure mounted with two chances in quick succession. Firstly Parrott was bravely smothered by Wessel Speel at point bank range, before skipper Sven Mijnans bent a curling effort from 20-yards out, again, well saved by Dutchman Speel.
Then came the moment the boisterous travelling support had prayed for. Following some good hold up play, Odubeko squared to the unmarked substitute John Martin inside the area but with the goal at his mercy, failed to control the ball and get his strike away in time.
And at this level, if you fail to take your chances, especially gilt-edged, you inevitably get punished. And the home side showed their quality with another well-worked set piece straight off the training ground, working the ball across the box before a clever reverse cross to the back post finding Mees de Wit who powered a header home from close range.
With five minutes remaining the home side made sure of the three points when the ball spilled kindly to Jensen who smashed home a thunderous effort from 25-yards that was always drifting away from the helpless Speel.
Shels future in the competition now hangs by the narrowest of threads now needing to win both their remaining games, at home to Crystal Palace before travelling to high flying Celje who boast a 100% record so far.
Owusu-Oduro; Dijkstra (Chavez,65’), Goes, Penetra, de Wit (Van Duijl, 90+1’); Koopmeiners, Mijnans, Kwakman (Smit, 46’); Patati (Sin, 77’), Bouziane (Jensen, 65’), ParrottÂ
Verhulst, Zoet, Dekker, Sadiq, ZeefuikÂ
: Speel; Mbeng (Gannon, 77’), Coyle, Barrett, Ledwidge; McInroy, Lunney (Caffrey, 62’), Henry-Francis (Chapman, 77’); Kelly, Wood (Martin, 62’), Odubeko (Boyd, 84’)Â
Healy, Topcu, Wilson, TempleÂ
: Michal Očenáš (SVK)
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