AZ Alkmaar secured a convincing away win in a friendly match against Hapoel Be'er Sheva in Israel. The Eredivisie leader demonstrated its current form with a strong performance, according to the live coverage from Sofascore.
Manager Pascal Jansen's team travelled to the Turner Stadium for this preparatory fixture. It was an opportunity to test fitness and give playing time to various squad members. AZ started the match sharply and took control of the midfield early on. The pressure was rewarded with goals, giving the Dutch club a comfortable lead at halftime.
This victory comes at a good time for AZ Alkmaar. The club currently sits in first place in the Eredivisie with a perfect record of fifteen points from five games. They have scored sixteen goals and conceded just five, resulting in a goal difference of plus eleven. That gives them a two-point lead over nearest rivals PSV Eindhoven. The current winning streak, both in the league and now in this friendly, shows the confidence within the squad. Fans can check the full standings and upcoming fixtures to follow the progress.
Pascal Jansen used the opportunity to rotate his squad. Several players who have had less playing time in recent weeks were in the starting eleven. The lineup worked well together, with the midfield in particular showing great energy and skill. The defence held firm for long periods and gave away few chances, a sign of the organisation that has been a strength all season. The only player currently sidelined through injury and unable to participate is Stije Resink.
This positive result gives the team an extra boost for the important period ahead. The next official match is a home Eredivisie fixture against FC Twente on October 25th. Twente are currently fifth in the table, promising an exciting and tough encounter. A good preparation like this one in Israel is therefore very valuable. The complete schedule of all upcoming matches can be found on the fixtures page.
AZ Alkmaar returns to the Netherlands with the confidence that the built-up form will be carried into the league campaign. The next training sessions will focus on preparing for the clash with FC Twente at the AFAS Stadion.
