Alkmaar, Netherlands: AZ Alkmaar beat Newcastle United 2-0 yesterday to reach the UEFA Cup quarter-final on the away goals rule after finishing the second knockout round tie 4-4 on aggregate.
The Dutch side made a convincing start to the second leg and twice came close before Shota Arveladze netted a cross from Danny Koevermans after 13 minutes.
Koevermans doubled the lead 10 minutes into the second half when he headed home a corner from Maarten Martens at the near post.
My players had a tremendous performance even when you start with a mental disadvantage after losing 4-2 in the first match, said AZ coach
Louis van Gaal, whose side extended their unbeaten home run in Europe to 29 matches.
Newcastle had the same tactical plan as last week and that was what I expected, he said.
With (Kew) Martens and (Julian) Jenner on the wings we left (Nicky) Butt and (Scott) Parker all at sea and were more able to reach (striker Moussa) Dembele, he added.
But the biggest compliment I have to give to my central defence who had the toughest job to control Newcastles fast strikers.
The English side, who set out to defend their two-goal advantage from the first leg, had trouble altering their game plan after falling behind and their forwards had only two serious chances.
Keiron Dyer was set up by Nolberto Solano but his shot from a tight angle just missed the target, while Obafemi Martins found goalkeeper Boy Waterman blocking his way in the dying minutes.
However, when Newcastle went forward Alkmaar had their chances to settle the match on the break but Paul Huntington cleared a shot from Dembele on the line and Arveladze hit the bar from close range.
Manager Glenn Roeder could not hide his disappointment and said: We expected our experienced players to come out tonight but they didnt.
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