Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 267: AZ Alkmaar Vs VVV-Venlo

Rob: [That’s a warning sign! Gorter got caught, and VVV almost made them pay]

Benjamin shook his head. They had to be sharper.

AZ Alkmaar regained control, knocking the ball around midfield, looking for an opening.

Martens checked over his shoulder before rolling a pass to Henriksen, who quickly shifted it wide to Guðmundsson.

Chris: [Guðmundsson now, one-on-one with Joppen... He’s got space to drive forward!"

Rob: [This is where he’s dangerous. Can he deliver?]

Guðmundsson feinted left before cutting inside, skipping past Joppen with ease. He lifted his head, spotted Altidore making a run, and whipped in a teasing cross—

Chris: [Altidore’s there!]

Rob: [He gets a head on it... but Mäenpää collects! Comfortable for the keeper in the end]

Benjamin exhaled, fingers tapping against his knee. That was better. More direct.

#15

VVV-Venlo tried to build from the back, but AZ Alkmaar pressed high. Henriksen and Martens closed down Seip, forcing a rushed pass that Viergever intercepted.

Chris: [AZ Alkmaar stepping up the pressure now. Here’s Martens... neat footwork to skip past one challenge]

Rob: [They’ve got numbers forward. Can they make this count?]

Martens slid the ball through to Berghuis, who took a touch inside the 18 yard box. A quick shift onto his left foot—then a curling shot toward the far post—

Chris: [Berghuis goes for goal... Just wide!]

Rob: [That was close! You could see what he was trying to do—just didn’t get enough bend on it]

Benjamin let out a breath, shaking his head. Unlucky.

Chris: [We’re nearly twenty minutes in, and AZ Alkmaar have certainly looked the more dangerous side. But VVV-Venlo have shown they can threaten on the counter]

Rob: [Exactly. It’s all about patience for AZ Alkmaar. They’ll keep knocking on the door]

Benjamin leaned back, eyes fixed on the screen. This was the kind of game that could change in an instant.

AZ Alkmaar continued to dictate possession, shifting the ball from side to side, probing for a way through.

Henriksen found space and clipped a pass into Martens, who turned sharply and played it wide to Berghuis.

Chris: [Berghuis, up against Yoshida... He’s looking for an option]

Rob: [VVV-Venlo have bodies back, but AZ Alkmaar are keeping the tempo high]

Berghuis feigned a cross before cutting inside onto his left. A quick exchange with Henriksen sent him bursting into the 18 yard box.

Chris: [Nice one-two! Berghuis, still going!]

Rob: [Can he get the shot off?]

Berghuis took a heavy touch—just enough for Promes to lunge in and poke the ball away. It rolled toward the edge of the 18 yard box, straight to Martens.

Chris: [Martens... goes for it!]

The stadium held its breath as he struck it first time. The ball fizzed through the air, dipping late—

CLANG!!!~

Rob: [Ohhh! Off the crossbar!]

A loud clang rang out as the shot rattled the woodwork. The ball bounced down but stayed out, before Joppen cleared it away.

Benjamin let out a sharp breath, gripping his knee. That was inches away.

Chris: [So close from Maarten Martens! AZ Alkmaar knocking louder now!]

Rob: [That’s got to be a warning for VVV-Venlo. They’re sitting too deep, inviting pressure]

The camera panned to Gertjan Verbeek on the touchline with his arms crossed, nodding at his players. He knew they were getting closer.

AZ Alkmaar reset, pushing forward again. The pressure was building.

#21

The ball cycled back to Viergever, who took a touch before sliding a pass to Elm. AZ Alkmaar were patient, waiting for an opening.

Chris: [Elm now, looking for movement ahead... finds Guðmundsson out wide]

Rob: [They’ve been targeting that right side a lot—Guðmundsson has looked lively]

Guðmundsson controlled the ball, eyes scanning the 18 yard box. He shifted his weight, feinted inside, then burst down the line.

Chris: [He’s got a yard on Joppen! Here comes the cross—]

The ball curled into the six-yard box, dipping toward Altidore. He muscled past his marker and lunged—

Rob: [Altidore’s there!]

Chris: [Header—saved by Mäenpää!]

The keeper reacted quickly, getting down low to parry it away. The ball spilled loose, bouncing toward Berghuis.

Rob: [Rebound chance—Berghuis!]

Berghuis struck it first-time, but Yoshida threw himself in the way, blocking it with his chest. The ball deflected behind for a corner.

Chris: [That’s brave defending! VVV-Venlo just about survive]

Benjamin exhaled, rubbing his jaw. They were getting closer. It felt inevitable.

Berghuis jogged over to take the corner, raising a hand before swinging it in.

Chris: [In-swinger from Steven Berghuis...]

Rob: [Dangerous delivery—Henriksen!]

Henriksen rose highest, meeting the ball with a firm header. It flashed toward goal—

Chris: [Just over the bar!]

Rob: [Another big chance! AZ Alkmaar are knocking on the door]

The home crowd groaned, then clapped in encouragement. The pressure was relentless, but VVV-Venlo held on.

Mäenpää took his time with the goal kick, urging his teammates to push up. He launched it long, aiming for Giakoumakis.

Chris: [VVV-Venlo looking to break now—Giakoumakis wins the flick-on]

Rob: [Watch Linssen’s run—he’s in behind!]

Linssen raced past Reijnen, latching onto the ball near the 18-yard box.

Chris: [Here comes the danger! Linssen, one-on-one with Alvarado!]

Benjamin leaned forward, his hands gripping his knees.

Linssen took a touch inside, trying to open up the angle. Alvarado rushed out, arms wide.

Rob: [Big moment here—Linssen... SAVED!]

Alvarado threw himself low, getting a strong hand to the shot. The ball bounced away, and Reijnen cleared.

Chris: [Massive stop from Alvarado! That could’ve been a disaster for AZ Alkmaar]

Benjamin exhaled sharply. That was too close.

AZ Alkmaar regrouped, slowing the tempo again. Henriksen dropped deep, linking play as they pushed forward once more.

Chris: [Here’s Martens, switching it out wide to Berghuis. AZ Alkmaar controlling the game again]

Rob: [They just need that final pass. They’ve had the chances]

Berghuis squared up against Yoshida, shifting the ball from left to right. He spotted a run—Martens ghosting in behind the defense.

Chris: [Great vision! Martens is in!]

Martens took a soft touch, steadying himself. Mäenpää rushed forward—

Rob: [Martens... can he finish?]