Tag: AZ

AZ issues apology after fans charge West Ham family section

AZ apologized after West Ham fans were attacked by the Dutch side’s ultras following a Europa Conference League semifinal.

AZ has apologized after fans of the Dutch side mounted an attack on a section full of family members of West Ham players and staff.

An ugly season in Dutch soccer stadiums continued Thursday after West Ham’s late 1-0 win at AZ’s AFAS Stadion sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory in the Europa Conference League.

“While everyone hoped for a historic European match, it turned into a pitch black evening due to the events occurring at the referee’s final whistle. It turned into a night to reflect on with shame,” said AZ in a club statement. “Not because of the football game played, but because of the behavior of some visitors. Unfortunately, we cannot use the word ‘supporters’ for these people.”

“What happened is beyond all bounds. The club again sincerely apologizes to West Ham United and the thousands of well-minded AZ supporters who have also been inconvenienced by the misconduct.”

With West Ham celebrating their first European final since 1976, a large group of AZ fans attempted to make their way into a section behind the visitors’ bench, and could be seen on video clashing with stewards and traveling supporters. West Ham players and staff attempted to jump in, though most remained behind advertising boards or were restrained by AZ players.

ESPN reported that the AZ fans broke down a fence to make their move.

“So far, no arrests have been made,” said Dutch police in a statement aired by Sky Sports News on Friday. “Our aim was to disperse the crowd and restore order as quickly as possible, in which we succeeded. The police will investigate footage of the incidents and try to identify supporters. Arrests may follow from this.”

Reuters reported that West Ham fans “accosted” AZ supporters, including the family of manager Pascal Jansen, after the Dutch side scored in the first leg in London.

“It’s annoying, it doesn’t belong in our stadium. Preferably in no stadium,” said Jansen in quotes published by ESPN. “I feel shame. You have to control your emotions, even on a night with a defeat.”

More violence at Dutch matches

In no way could this be called a one-off for fans in the Netherlands, which has seen a series of violent incidents throughout the 2022-23 season.

A PSV fan attempted to attack Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrović in February, while Netherlands international Davy Klaassen was left bleeding after being hit in the head by a lighter hurled from the stands by a Feyenoord fan last month.

After Italian police barred Feyenoord fans from attending a Europa League quarterfinal against AS Roma over an incident in 2015, UEFA opted to ban away fans from either leg.

Following the Klaassen incident, the Dutch federation issued new rules requiring referees to halt games immediately upon any fans entering the pitch or throwing objects, and to abandon a game on a second instance.

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Mihailovic replaces injured Weah on USMNT roster

The 24-year-old AZ midfielder will be looking for his first cap in more than two years

AZ midfielder Djordje Mihailovic has been added to the U.S. men’s national team roster for its upcoming CONCACAF Nations League matches, replacing the injured Tim Weah.

Weah is in concussion return to play protocol after he suffered a head injury in Lille’s 2-0 win over Toulouse on Saturday.

Mihailovic, who has six USMNT caps, will be aiming for his first national team appearance since December 2020. The midfielder’s chances of making the World Cup squad were damaged when, in the midst of an excellent start to the 2022 season with CF Montréal, he suffered an ankle injury that forced him off the team’s June roster.

Mihailovic has made 10 appearances for Dutch side AZ after joining from Montréal in January, tallying one goal and one assist.

The USMNT will travel to face Grenada on Friday (8:00 p.m. ET on TNT, Universo and Peacock), which will be followed by a game against El Salvador on March 27 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando (7:30 p.m. ET on TNT, Universo and Peacock).

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Ricardo Pepi shakes off USMNT’s struggles, scores again for Groningen

Pepi bounced back from a rough USMNT window in the best way

Ricardo Pepi is wasting no time in bouncing back from an unpleasant international break.

The U.S. men’s national team struggled in the September FIFA window, with Pepi among the players who didn’t come away from friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia looking their best.

However, a key aspect for a good striker is to shake it off and be ready for the next one, and that’s just what Pepi did Saturday, scoring for Groningen in his first game back as they squared off with AZ.

In many ways, the goal was incredibly simple. Groningen, trailing 2-0 at the time, took a goal kick short. With AZ pressing high, defender Neraysho Kasanwirjo ended up going long to find an outlet.

From there, the goal was all Pepi. His slashing run across the path of Maxim Dekker cut the defender (who eventually stumbled and fell down) off. Still, AZ’s Sam Beukema had the better angle to chase the bouncing ball down, getting in front of Pepi as the ball bounced into the box.

Beukema couldn’t put the brakes on fast enough, though, and that gave Pepi a chance to muscle his way within reach of the ball. He took a touch, spinning away from Beukema as both fell to the ground, but still had the composure to swing around and fire a shot off before goalkeeper Hobie Verhulst could close the angle down.

It’s still early days for Pepi with Groningen, but the move is looking like exactly what he needed. In three appearances since moving there on loan from Augsburg, the USMNT No. 9 has been involved with a goal in every game. He got an assist in his debut, and scored in Groningen’s next match, ending a nearly year-long slump in front of goal.

Watch Pepi get on the scoresheet for Groningen

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Montréal and USMNT midfielder Mihailovic to join Dutch side AZ

The 23-year-old will depart MLS at the end of the 2022 season

CF Montréal has announced that midfielder Djordje Mihailovic has been sold to Dutch side AZ, where he has signed a contract through 2027.

The 23-year-old will complete the MLS season with Montréal before moving to AZ in January.

Mihailovic has developed into one of the top attacking players in MLS since moving to Montréal from the Chicago Fire ahead of the 2021 season.

The midfielder was called into USMNT camp in June, but was forced to withdraw from the roster because of an ankle injury.

“It’s a very good feeling to be here,” Mihailovic told AZ’s official website. “I think the football philosophy suits me well and AZ is a club where I can develop myself as a player.

“I know my final move won’t be until later, but I’m really looking forward to playing here. I don’t mind finishing the season at Montréal, because that club has brought me a lot. I would like to give something back, because we have a good chance of creating something special.”

AZ released a video upon the announcement showing one of the club’s former stars Jozy Altidore speaking to his fellow American Mihailovic and endorsing the move.

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