AZ Alkmaar beat Krylya Sovetov 3-1

Alkmaar:

Dutch league leaders AZ Alkmaar staged a brave comeback against Russia's Krylya Sovetov to book a place in the group stages of the UEFA Cup on Thursday. Goals from Barry van Galen, Stein Huysegems and Denny Landzaat ensured victory on the away goals rule for the Dutch side who reached the semi-finals under Co Adriaanse last season. Denny Landzaat scored AZ's winner with a penalty in the 85th minute after Kenneth Perez was fouled in the area. Louis van Gaal's side went 3-6 down on aggregate when Baba Adamu scored the night's first goal for the visitors. The Ghanaian, who also scored in the first leg, swept the ball home with a spectacular overhead effort after Vitaliy Bulyga's cross found him in the AZ penalty area. The home side pulled a goal back two minutes into first-half stoppage time after Kenneth Perez's free-kick set up Barry Van Galen to head past Krylya goalkeeper Eduardo Lobos. AZ came out in a positive mood after the break and Lobos did well to get behind a Van Galen shot from the edge of the Krylya box. Turning point The turning point came as Krylya were reduced to 10 men when Baba Adamu was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball foul on Barry Opdam. With Krylya a man down and defending deeper and deeper, more and more chances were coming AZ's way and the pressure finally told as the Dutch side netted their second goal in the 80th minute. Van Galen crossed from the left and substitute Stein Huysegems headed down and past Lobos for a 2-1 lead. Four minutes later and AZ levelled the aggregate scores and moved ahead on away goals after Perez was adjudged to have been brought down in the area by Omonigo Temile - although the slow-motion replay appeared to show the decision was harsh. That didn't worry Denny Landzaat however - the Dutchman sweeping home the penalty to take his side into the group stages as they won 3-1 on the night (6-6 on aggregate) and qualified on the away goals rule. (AP)