AZ Alkmaar's Jordy Clasie in action with CFR Cluj's Adrian Paun Inquam during their Europa Conference League Group D at Stadionul Dr. Constantin Radulescu, Cluj-Napoca in Romania.
ROTTERDAM--Feyenoord Rotterdam defeated German side Union Berlin 3-1 on Thursday to stay top of Europa Conference League Group E and leave the Bundesliga side reflecting on a miserable trip to the Netherlands.
A Union delegation including club president Dirk Zingler were attacked in Rotterdam on the eve of the match in what Feyenoord described as a “a cowardly act”.
They hoped that “the offenders are caught and punished for this shocking act of violence in public,” with police having made one arrest.
During the game Union said they were “aware of the difficult situation outside the away section,” as many fans were delayed entering the stadium. By that time Feyenoord were in control in front of a passionate 45,000 crowd as Alireza Jahanbakhsh in the 11th minute and Bryan Linssen in the 29th put them in front.
Union striker Taiwo Awoniyi continued his fine personal form by halving the deficit before the break but the guests could not find an equalizer and Luis Sinisterra sealed matters with 14 minutes remaining.
Feyenoord lead the group on seven points with Maccabi Haifa on four after a 1-0 home win against Slavia Prague, who are third on three. Union are also on three but are bottom on goal difference with three games still to play.
Vitesse
Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to leave their big guns at home saw them lose 1-0 to Vitesse Arnhem in Group G of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
The likes of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Cristiano Romero and Hugo Lloris did not travel to the Netherlands with Sunday’s clash at West Ham in mind, while Ireland’s full-back Matt Doherty was among the injury absentees. Tottenham’s second string were undone by Maximilian Wittek’s 78th-minute strike.
The side Nuno Espirito Santo picked still had nine international players, but they were never really in the game and Bryan Gil’s shot that hit the crossbar early in the second half was their only moment of note.
Vitesse’s Nikolai Baden Frederiksen forced Pierluigi Gollini into a save with his feet after being played in in the third minute and then Jacob Rasmussen flashed a header just wide from a corner.
Unsurprisingly given the number of changes, Spurs were not up to much in an attacking sense in the first half, with teenage striker Dane Scarlett up against it in a lone role in attack.
They immediately showed more after the break and were within inches of taking the lead in the 47th minute. Giovani Lo Celso showed why he is becoming a key player for Argentina as he went on an enterprising dribble before laying it off for Gil, whose first-time shot rattled the crossbar.
That was as good as it got for Spurs who were pinned further and further back as the second half wore on, with Eli Dasa twice going close with efforts from distance, the second effort bringing a smart stop out of Gollini.
It was no surprise when the goal came 12 minutes from time as Wittek brilliantly volleyed home Dasa’s cross from the edge of the area to send the home crowd wild.
AZ
AZ Alkmaar secured their second win in the Europa Conference League group stage on Thursday as they came away from Cluj with a 1-0 victory.
AZ were the dominant force from the start with Jordy Clasie hitting the post in the 15th minute before Vangelis Pavlidis was denied by the host’s goalkeeper. After 18 minutes, AZ had a deserved lead with Jesper Karlsson heading in Yuki Sagawara’s cross.
AZ goalkeeper Peter Vindahl Jensen had to make a good save to deny Gabriel Debeljuh as Cluj got a rare chance, while Pavlidis had a goal disallowed before the break for offside.
In the second half, AZ had to hold onto their lead with the crossbar coming to their rescue five minutes before the end. AZ managed to hold on but they did lose Dani de Wit to a nose injury.
AZ are now three points clear at the top of the group with Jablonec and Randers drawing 2-2 in the group’s other game.
