Jens Odgaard, AZ Alkmaar forward: "We're ready for West Ham. Unfortunately we needed penalties to go through, but that's all that matters." And naturally, when you start a game this way, you create momentum. Pascal Jansen, AZ coach: "Some people already declared us finished, but we showed them what we can do and who we are. Mat Ryan celebrates after making two crucial saves in the shoot-out ANP/AFP via Getty Images Reaction Verbruggen made save after save to keep Anderlecht in the game, but it was Ryan's heroics that proved decisive in the shoot-out. Alkmaar held the reins for the entire first half and aside from efforts by Lior Refaelov and Amadou Diawara, the visitors barely threatened in the second period either. The second leg as it happened Alyssa Saliou, match reporterĪnderlecht arrived at the AZ Stadion with a 2-0 advantage, which they surrendered inside the opening quarter of an hour. It mattered little, though, as Ryan saved from Jan Vertonghen and Killian Sardella in the shoot-out, while AZ scored all four of their spot kicks to book a last-four spot. Tijjani Reijnders thought he had completed the turnaround in the first half of extra time, but the midfielder's finish from a tight angle was disallowed for offside. Moussa Ndiaye stung Ryan's palms at the near post in a rare opening for Anderlecht, who were fortunate not to fall further behind when Kerkez's scuffed effort came back off the post. The AZ striker was taken off at half-time with a reported ankle injury, but AZ continued to hold the upper hand as the second half progressed.
It could have been 3-0 moments later, but Pavlidis lost his footing at a crucial moment and Anderlecht were able to clear. Kerkez was again involved, threading a magnificent ball through to Jens Odgaard, who showed superb composure to pick out Pavlidis for the Greek international's second of the game. The visitors' first-leg advantage was halved, and then wiped out completely just eight minutes later. They were given an early opportunity to reduce the arrears when Michael Murillo tripped Milos Kerkez inside the area, allowing Vangelis Pavlidis to send Bart Verbruggen the wrong way from the spot. Vangelis Pavlidis' two early goals cancelled out Anderlecht's first-leg advantage ANP/AFP via Getty Imagesīoth sides were unchanged from the first leg, but it was AZ who made the brighter start as they immediately set about forcing their way back into the tie.
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