Cambuur vs AZ Alkmaar 2-2

Cambuur and AZ Alkmaar drew 2-2 at Kooi Stadion after a first half that belonged to the home side and a second half in which AZ forced a comeback, helped by a penalty after a VAR check. Cambuur led 2-1 at the break before Mexx Meerdink levelled from the spot on 83 minutes.

Cambuur went ahead in the 7th minute when Nicolas Binder finished Jason Ceka’s assist for 1-0. AZ equalised in the 26th minute through Ro Zangelo Daal, set up by Peer Koopmeiners, before Ilyes Hamache restored Cambuur’s lead in the 39th minute from Billy van Duijl’s pass. That left it 2-1 at half-time.

The game changed after Devid Eugene Bouah was sent off for Cambuur on 53 minutes. AZ then made four substitutions in two bursts on 63 and 64 minutes, and the visitors kept pushing until a VAR review on 81 minutes confirmed a penalty for Mees de Wit’s side. Meerdink converted on 83 minutes to make it 2-2. Cambuur also made three changes on 84 minutes, including Binder and Hamache going off, while AZ’s final change came on 89 minutes when Calvin Stengs was replaced by Jerolldino Bergraaf.

AZ had 64% of the possession and 535 passes to Cambuur’s 294, while also leading 6-3 for corners and 15-11 for fouls. Cambuur had more shots, 11-7, and more on target, 6-4, with xG almost level at 1.53 to 1.56. AZ’s keeper made 2 saves, compared with 4 for Cambuur.

Lewis Schouten was booked for AZ in the 10th minute, while Cambuur’s yellow cards went to Devid Eugene Bouah in the 24th minute, Johan Plat on 81 minutes and Thijs Jansen on 82 minutes. Bouah was then sent off on 53 minutes. Ayoub Oufkir was booked for AZ in the 59th minute.