Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 334: KNVB Beker Round of 16

The Europa League round of 32 draw had set the stage for AZ Alkmaar’s clash with Hannover 96, but the focus quickly shifted back to domestic action. Just one day after the draw, Tuesday, December 18, brought the KNVB Beker Round of 16 to the AFAS Stadion.

AZ Alkmaar faced FC Dordrecht at 5:45 PM, riding a wave of confidence after their 15-0 demolition of SC Veendam in the third round, where Benjamin had bagged four goals.

The stadium buzzed under a chilly evening sky, red and white scarves waving, the floodlights casting a sharp glow on the pitch.

In the commentary booth, Mark and Tim settled in, their headsets on, the crowd’s chants a steady hum below. The big screen flashed highlights of AZ Alkmaar’s Veendam rout. Mark adjusted his notes, while Tim sipped water, his eyes on the tunnel where the teams emerged.

[Mark’s voice was warm, lively. Welcome to the AFAS Stadion, folks! Mark here with Tim for AZ Alkmaar versus FC Dordrecht in the KNVB Beker Round of 16. AZ Alkmaar are flying after that 15-0 thrashing of Veendam—can they keep the magic going, Tim?]

[Tim grinned, his tone buzzing. They’re a machine, Mark. Benjamin’s four goals last round, Altidore’s hunger—this could be another big night. Dordrecht’s scrappy, though. I’m going 4-0 AZ Alkmaar. You?]

[Mark chuckled, flipping his pen. I’ll say 6-1, Tim. AZ Alkmaar’s attack is too much, but Dordrecht might nick one. Let’s see the lineups.]

Mark glanced at his sheet, reading steady. [AZ Alkmaar go 4-3-3: Esteban in goal, back four of Johansson, Viergever, Reijnen, and Gorter. Midfield has Maher, Henriksen, and Martens. Up top, Berghuis, Altidore, and Benjamin]

[FC Dordrecht line up 4-4-2: Hahn in goal, defenders Oemrawsingh, Lima, Peersman, and Amevor. Midfielders Post, Alisic, Van Mieghem, and Ten Voorde. Forwards Vujicevic and Pisas]

[Tim nodded, scribbling. AZ Alkmaar’s got the edge, Mark. Benjamin’s on fire, and Altidore’s a handful. Dordrecht’s defense better be ready.]

Fweeeee!~

The whistle blew, and AZ Alkmaar surged forward. Benjamin darted down the left, chopping past Amevor with a quick step-over, his cross low but cleared by Peersman.

The crowd roared, sensing an early breakthrough. Altidore muscled past Lima, firing a shot that Hahn palmed wide. The corner came, Benjamin’s delivery curling, but Viergever’s header sailed high.

[Mark’s voice lifted. Straight into it, Tim! Benjamin’s already causing havoc!]

[Tim clapped, mic shaking. Amevor’s in trouble, Mark! AZ Alkmaar are hunting!]

#8 minute.

AZ Alkmaar pressed again. Maher slipped a pass to Berghuis, who sprinted past Oemrawsingh, cutting inside. His shot was low, but Hahn dove, gloving it out.

The ball landed with Henriksen, who fired from 20 yards, the shot dipping but clipping the bar. Dordrecht scrambled, Alisic booting it clear, sparking a counter. Vujicevic sprinted, outpacing Reijnen, but his shot rolled wide, Esteban untested.

[Tim’s voice buzzed. Berghuis is lively, Mark! Hahn’s keeping Dordrecht in this!]

[Mark exhaled. Close one, Tim! Vujicevic had a chance—AZ need to tighten up!]

#15th minute.

AZ Alkmaar broke through. Benjamin picked up the ball on the left, chopping past Amevor with a La Croqueta, then darting past Peersman. He crossed low, Altidore dummying to let it roll to Martens, who smashed it into the top corner. The stadium erupted, scarves waving, the noise a wall of sound.

[Mark roared. Goal! Martens! AZ take the lead, 1-0!]

[Tim’s voice surged. Benjamin’s magic, Mark! That cross—Martens doesn’t miss from there!]

Dordrecht pushed back, Post firing a long ball to Pisas, who held off Viergever, but his shot sailed high, the away fans groaning. AZ Alkmaar countered, Maher feeding Benjamin, who chopped past Oemrawsingh, his shot curling but tipped over by Hahn. The corner fizzled, Lima heading clear.

[Tim’s voice tightened. Benjamin’s on fire, Mark! Hahn’s earning his keep!]

[Mark chuckled. He’s got to, Tim! AZ Alkmaar are relentless—this could get ugly!]

#28th minute.

AZ Alkmaar struck again. Henriksen won a loose ball, passing to Berghuis, who sprinted down the right, outpacing Amevor. His cross was sharp, Altidore rising above Peersman, his header thumping into the net. The crowd exploded, Altidore sprinting to the corner flag, fist pumping.

[Mark shouted. Goal! Altidore! 2-0, AZ Alkmaar are cruising!]

[Tim clapped, grinning. Berghuis’s delivery, Mark! Altidore’s too strong—Dordrecht’s defense is crumbling!]

#35 minute.

AZ Alkmaar kept the pressure on. Benjamin darted down the left, chopping past Oemrawsingh with a step-over, his cross low. Maher met it, firing low, but Hahn dove, palming it wide.

The corner came, Benjamin’s delivery curling, and Viergever rose, nodding it past Hahn. The stadium shook, the scoreline climbing.

[Mark’s voice surged. Goal! Viergever! 3-0, AZ Alkmaar are tearing them apart!]

[Tim’s tone buzzed. Benjamin’s corner, Mark! Viergever’s a rock—Dordrecht’s got no answer!]

Halftime came, AZ Alkmaar 3-0 up, the crowd buzzing. Gertjan Verbeek stood on the touchline, arms crossed, his nod brief but satisfied. Dordrecht’s players trudged off, heads low, their manager barking orders.

In the booth, Mark and Tim flipped through stats—AZ Alkmaar with 12 shots, 6 on target; Dordrecht with 2 shots, none on target.

[Tim leaned forward, grinning. This is one-way traffic, Mark. Benjamin’s running riot—Dordrecht can’t handle him.]

[Mark nodded, sipping water. After that 15-0 last round, Tim, this feels tame! But AZ Alkmaar are clinical—Dordrecht needs a miracle.]

The second half kicked off, and AZ Alkmaar picked up where they left off. In the 48th minute. Martens fired a long ball to Benjamin, who chopped past Amevor, his cross low.

Altidore lunged, but Peersman slid, deflecting it out. The throw went to Maher, who passed to Henriksen, his shot sailing high, rattling the boards.

[Mark’s voice lifted. Benjamin’s at it again, Tim! Peersman’s hanging on!]

[Tim chuckled. He’s got no choice, Mark! AZ Alkmaar are all over them!]

#55th minute.

Dordrecht pulled one back. Post scooped a pass to Vujicevic, who sprinted past Reijnen, outpacing Johansson. He fired low, the ball sneaking past Esteban’s glove, the net rippling. The away fans roared, a pocket of green and white coming alive.

[Tim gasped. Goal! Vujicevic! 3-1—Dordrecht’s got a lifeline!]

[Mark’s tone tightened. Esteban’s caught out, Tim! AZ Alkmaar need to wake up!]

#62nd minute.

AZ Alkmaar responded. Benjamin picked up the ball on the left, chopping past Oemrawsingh with a Snake Bite, his cross sharp. Berghuis met it, volleying low, but Hahn dove, gloving it wide.

The corner came, Benjamin’s delivery curling, and Altidore rose, his header thumping into the net. The stadium erupted, scarves flying.

[Mark roared. Goal! Altidore again! 4-1, AZ Alkmaar restore the cushion!]

[Tim’s voice surged. Benjamin’s delivery, Mark! Altidore’s unstoppable—two goals tonight!]

#78th minute.

AZ Alkmaar sealed it. Maher fired a through ball to Benjamin, who darted past Amevor, chopping past Peersman with a step-over. He fired low, the ball kissing the post and nestling in. The crowd leapt, Benjamin sprinting to the fans, arms wide.

[Mark shouted. Goal! Benjamin! 5-1, AZ Alkmaar are through!]

[Tim clapped, buzzing. He’s a wizard, Mark! After four last round, he’s at it again!]

The final whistle blew, AZ Alkmaar 5-1 winners, advancing to the KNVB Beker quarterfinals. The players jogged to the fans, Benjamin waving, Altidore clapping.

Gertjan Verbeek shook hands with Dordrecht’s coach, his nod brief but proud. The scoreboard flashed the result, the crowd chanting Benjamin’s name.

[Mark leaned back, warm. Full time, Tim! AZ Alkmaar 5-1—they’re unstoppable in the cup!]

[Tim scribbled, grinning. Benjamin’s magic, Altidore’s brace, Mark—what a night! Dordrecht fought, but AZ Alkmaar are on another level!]