AMSTERDAM--Oussama Idrissi scored and provided an assist in AZ Alkmaar’s 5-0 demolition of Kazakhstan side Astana in Thursday’s Europa League game.
After goals from Myron Boadu and Fredrik Midtsjoe, the Morocco international increased his side’s lead in the 57th minute. Pantelis Hatzidiakos notched the fourth goal for Arne Slot’s men before Idrissi put Boadu through on goal to seal the emphatic win.
The 23-year-old Idrissi featured for the duration of the game, his 10th appearance in the European competition this season.
The win ensured the Dutch side climbed to the top of the Group L table with eight points from four games, pending the outcome of the Manchester United clash with Partizan Beograd. The forward will look to maintain his form when AZ take on Partizan in their next outing in the tournament on November 28.
Feyenoord’s chances of reaching the Europa League knockout stages took a blow on Thursday after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Young Boys in Rotterdam.
Two weeks ago, Feyenoord lost 2-0 in Switzerland thanks to two first-half penalties. On Thursday, Feyenoord went looking for revenge and in the 18th minute, they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ridgeciano Haps. Steven Berghuis slotted in the spot-kick to make it 1-0.
Feyenoord could have been 2-0 ahead at the break but Nicolai Jorgensen failed to convert a great chance. At the other end, Young Boys looked dangerous on the break but Kenneth Vermeer was rarely tested.
After the break, Young Boys were denied by the crossbar, while Edgar Ie was lucky not to give away a penalty for handball.
Eventually in the 70th minute, Young Boys did equalise as Marvin Spielmann took advantage of gaps in the Feyenoord defence. The goal led to a late onslaught from Feyenoord but Jens Toornsta, Jørgensen and Orkun Kökçü all failed to find the net.
Feyenoord remain bottom of the table on four points with tough ties with Porto and Rangers to come. Dick Advocaat’s side face a tough task of making the next round.
Meanwhile, the crisis at PSV Eindhoven continued on Thursday as Mark van Bommel’s side were comfortably beaten 4-1 by LASK Linz in Austria.
PSV headed to Austria without a win in their last four games and still unable to call upon Donyell Malen or Steven Bergwijn. After only four minutes, PSV were awarded a penalty after a handball. Daniel Schwaab scored from the spot to make it 1-0.
However, from then on it was one way traffic from the home side. PSV managed to keep LASK Linz out in the first half with Jeroen Zoet dealing with some strikes from distance, while Erick Gutierrez cleared off the line.
Ten minutes into the second half, though, LASK Linz equalised when Zoet allowed Reinhold Ranftl’s strike to get past him. On the hour mark, the hosts made it 2-1 with Dominik Frieser scoring on the rebound after Zoet had denied Thomas Goiginger.
Both sides traded chances but LASK Linz made it 3-1 in the 77th minute through João Klauss, who headed into the ground and past Zoet. Klauss then added a quick fourth to seal the victory.
PSV now must fear missing out on the knockout stages. Sporting have climbed above them to the top of the table, while LASK Linz have taken second place on a better record against PSV.
