Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King-Chapter 335: Matchday Seventeen

AZ Alkmaar’s 5-1 KNVB Beker Round of 16 win over FC Dordrecht on December 18 punched their ticket to the quarterfinals against FC Den Bosch.

Benjamin’s goal and assist, paired with Altidore’s brace, had the fans buzzing, their chants echoing into the Alkmaar night. But there was little time to celebrate—three days later, on Friday, December 21, AZ Alkmaar faced a tough Eredivisie clash against FC Twente at 7:45 PM.

Twente, sitting fourth in the league, were a formidable side, their attacking flair and solid defense a real test for AZ Alkmaar’s title chase.

At De Grolsch Veste in Enschede, the air was crisp, the stands packed with Twente’s red-clad fans, their banners swaying in the cold breeze.

A smaller pocket of AZ Alkmaar supporters, dressed in red and white, made their presence felt, their voices cutting through the home crowd’s roar. The floodlights cast a sharp glow on the pitch as the teams warmed up, the tension palpable.

As the camera panned across the crowd, picking out fans dressed in red scarves and holding aloft banners, the lead commentator continued. [The atmosphere here is electric, isn’t it? The FC Twente fans are out in force, and they know a win could pull them closer to the top three. But AZ Alkmaar’s supporters have traveled well—they’re expecting a big performance tonight.]

[Of course, it’s not just about the crowd,] the co-commentator pointed out. [AZ Alkmaar are in scintillating form—five goals against Dordrecht in the cup, Benjamin and Altidore firing on all cylinders. If they can keep that momentum, they’ll be a handful. But Twente’s no slouch at home.]

The lead commentator hummed in agreement. [Absolutely. Twente’s got quality—Chadli, Tadić, Fer—they can hurt any side. AZ Alkmaar will need to be at their best to keep that one-point gap to Ajax intact.]

The players’ tunnel lit up with the glow of the stadium lights as the players emerged, their cleats clicking against the floor. The fans of both teams roared in unison, the sound reverberating through De Grolsch Veste as the two teams stepped onto the pitch.

The commentators picked up where they had left off, their voices weaving into the atmosphere. [And here come the teams,] the lead commentator announced, his tone rising with the crowd’s energy. [FC Twente in their traditional red kit, and AZ Alkmaar in their red and white. Both sides ready for what promises to be a cracking Eredivisie clash.]

[Let’s go through the starting lineups,] his partner added smoothly. [For AZ Alkmaar, Gertjan Verbeek sticks with his trusted 4-3-3.]

[Esteban in goal, with Johansson, Viergever, Reijnen, and Gorter forming the backline. Midfield trio of Maher, Henriksen, and Martens, and up front, the attacking trinity of Berghuis, Altidore, and Benjamin.]

The lead commentator cut in with a note of admiration. [Benjamin starting again—what a run he’s on. After his goal and assist against Dordrecht, Verbeek’s showing real faith in the youngster. He’ll be key tonight.]

[On the bench for AZ Alkmaar,] the co-commentator continued, [we have Beerens, Elm, Guðmundsson, Overtoom, Ortiz, Lam, and De Winter. Plenty of options if Gertjan Verbeek needs to change things up.]

The players lined up for the pregame formalities, the captains stepping forward for the coin toss. [And for FC Twente,] the lead commentator resumed, [it’s a strong lineup from Steve McClaren, set up in a 4-3-3 as well.]

[Mihaylov in goal, with Rosales, Douglas, Wisgerhof, and Schilder in defense. Midfield has Fer, Brama, and Chadli, and up top, Tadić, Bulykin, and Castaignos leading the attack.]

The co-commentator added after a quick observation. [That’s a dangerous front three. Tadić’s creativity, Castaignos’s pace, Bulykin’s physicality—AZ Alkmaar’s defense will have their hands full tonight.]

The Eredivisie anthem played, a chorus of voices rising in harmony with the music. The players stood still on the pitch, their faces etched with focus, the weight of the match sinking in.

As the anthem concluded, the commentators picked up again. [Let’s not forget,] the lead commentator said, [AZ Alkmaar are chasing Ajax at the top, just one point behind. A win here keeps the pressure on, but a slip could see Twente close the gap to them.]

[True,] his partner agreed. [But Twente’s in fourth for a reason. They’re unbeaten in 5 consecutive matches at home this season, and McClaren’s got them playing with confidence. AZ Alkmaar will need to match that intensity.]

The referee signaled for the teams to take their positions. The crowd rose to their feet, the anticipation thick in the air. [Well,] the lead commentator said as the players took their places on the pitch, [this is it. Ninety minutes to see if AZ Alkmaar can keep their title chase alive or if FC Twente can make a statement at home.]

[Can AZ Alkmaar’s attack overpower Twente’s defense? Or will Twente’s flair shine through? We’re moments away from kick-off here at De Grolsch Veste.]

Fweeeee!~

As the referee blew his whistle, the game began with FC Twente kicking the ball, and the stadium erupted in cheers. The battle was on.

FC Twente wasted no time asserting themselves, pushing the ball forward with intent straight from the kickoff. The ball moved quickly through their midfield, Fer dictating the tempo with sharp, precise passes.

The commentators stayed locked into the action. [And here we go,] the lead commentator said, his voice brimming with excitement. [FC Twente starting on the front foot, as expected. They’re looking to set the tone early at home.]

[Look at Fer,] his partner pointed out. [Always so composed in possession. He’s pulling the strings for Twente in midfield.]

AZ Alkmaar held their ground, their defensive line compact and disciplined. Viergever stepped in to block a dangerous pass meant for Tadić, and the away fans roared in approval as he cleared it upfield. [That’s solid defending,] the lead commentator remarked. [Viergever reading the danger there and cutting it out before Tadić could get involved.]

But FC Twente weren’t backing down. The ball was quickly recycled, and Chadli, with his quick feet, picked it up on the left wing. He darted past Henriksen and whipped in a low cross. [Chadli on the move!] the co-commentator exclaimed. [He’s so dangerous in these positions—oh, what a delivery!]

Castaignos was waiting at the near post, but Esteban dove low, punching the ball clear before it could reach its target. [Brilliant goalkeeping!] the lead commentator shouted. [Esteban with a crucial intervention there. Castaignos was lurking, and you can’t give a player like him half a chance!]

AZ Alkmaar responded with a counter of their own in the 5th minute, showing the pace and precision that Gertjan Verbeek had drilled into them.

Martens intercepted a wayward pass from Brama in midfield and immediately released Benjamin down the left flank. [Here comes AZ Alkmaar!] the lead commentator said, and the crowd’s energy surged as Benjamin sprinted forward with the ball.

Benjamin chopped past Rosales with a quick step-over, his cross low and sharp. Altidore lunged, but Douglas slid in, deflecting it out for a corner.

The away fans roared, scarves waving. [Benjamin’s at it again!] the co-commentator exclaimed. [Rosales can’t handle him—great defending from Douglas, though!]

The corner came, Benjamin’s delivery curling into the 18 yard box. Viergever rose, his header thumping toward goal, but Mihaylov tipped it over, the bar rattling. [What a save!] the lead commentator gasped. [Mihaylov stands tall—Mihaylov keeps Twente in it!] frёewebηovel.cѳm

10th minute.

FC Twente pushed back. Tadić picked up the ball on the right, chopping past Gorter with a quick feint. His cross was low, Bulykin meeting it, but Esteban Alvarado sprawled, gloving it wide.

The home fans groaned, the corner fizzling as Reijnen headed clear. [Tadić is dangerous!] the co-commentator noted. [Esteban Alvarado’s on his toes—AZ Alkmaar are hanging on!]

AZ Alkmaar struck again moments later. Adam Maher fired a long ball to Berghuis, who sprinted past Schilder, cutting inside. He slipped it to Altidore, who held off Wisgerhof, firing low.

GOOOAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!~

The ball kissed the post and nestled in, the away fans erupting. [Goal! Altidore! AZ Alkmaar take the lead, 1-0!] the lead commentator roared. [Berghuis’s run, Altidore’s finish—clinical from AZ Alkmaar!]

15th minute.

Twente equalized five minutes later. Fer scooped a pass to Chadli, who darted past Johansson, his cross low. Castaignos met it, volleying past Esteban Alvarado.

The stadium shook, Twente’s fans leaping. [Goal! Castaignos! 1-1—FC Twente are back!] the co-commentator shouted. [Chadli’s delivery—what a response!]

[He’s a livewire, isn’t he?] the co-commentator added. [Twente’s defense needs to double up on Benjamin, or he’ll keep carving them open.]

The corner came, Benjamin’s delivery curling into the 18 yard box. Altidore jumped, outmuscling Douglas, but his header sailed just over, the home fans exhaling in relief.

Twente countered quickly, Fer firing a long ball to Tadić, who sprinted past Gorter. His cross was low, Chadli meeting it, but Esteban sprawled, blocking with his legs. [Tadić again!] the co-commentator shouted. [Esteban’s keeping AZ Alkmaar in this—what a stop!]

[Twente are dangerous on the break,] the lead commentator noted. [AZ Alkmaar need to watch those quick transitions, or they’ll get caught.]