AZ’s maiden trip to Kosovo saw them run out 3-0 winners over Drita on UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) matchday five, meaning that the Cheese Farmers could secure at least a place in the knockout playoff round if results later tonight prove favourable.
Drita started the night with similar aspirations, knowing that a win would guarantee a place in the top-24 and forge another great chapter in Kosovo’s short footballing history, but it was AZ that made the more purposeful start.
And with most of the opening quarter-hour being played in Drita’s half, it came as little surprise when a simple move forged the opener 17 minutes in. A quick move downfield saw Kees Smit lay on Isak Jensen inside the box, and the Dane duly squared to Sven Mijnans for a straightforward finish.
While Drita missed out on a likely penalty by inches when Smit handballed on the edge of the box in an aerial duel, AZ remained largely in control of proceedings.
Although the visitors wouldn’t add to their lead before half-time, Wesley Patati cut a menacing figure, seeing a promising solo run and attempted cross stubbed out by Besnik Krasniqi – with a somewhat under-marked Alexandre Penetra heading over Mijnans’ subsequent corner – before he skied over from Mijnans’ instinctive layoff in the final minute before the break.
Mijnans remained a difficult customer for Drita, but when he headed over the bar shortly after half-time, Jensen stole the limelight by turning goalscorer. At the end of controlled build-up play, which bore similarity to the passage that led to Mijnans’ opener, Smit played a sideways ball to Jensen on the edge of the box, and more lax Drita defending allowed him to power in a shot that appeared to bobble as it went past a frozen Faton Maloku.
That moment represented the end of Drita’s proud defensive record, which had seen them avoid conceding multiple goals in the UECL proper, and their night took another disappointing turn when a reckless challenge from Mamadou Soumahoro on Smit saw him booked, meaning that he will miss a daunting and potentially crucial matchday six trip to Rayo Vallecano.
In truth, the endgame was not particularly memorable, but there was still time for a third AZ strike as the clock hit 90, which came when Ibrahim Sadiq headed in on the end of a Mees de Wit cross.
With a home game against outsiders Jagiellonia to finish their somewhat chequered league phase campaign (W3, L2), AZ will feel confident of getting a win that could well see them sneak into an automatic Round of 16 qualification spot – especially after winning a European group stage or league phase away game for the first time in 10 attempts.
Meanwhile, Drita’s chances of doing likewise look all the more remote after a disappointing performance.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Sven Mijnans (AZ)
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