Thursday 2 Aug

AZ Alkmaar vs Kairat - Match Preview

01 Aug 2018 Tampines -Tanjong Pagar INTERNATIONAL CLUBS: UEFA Europa League, Qualification
INTERNATIONAL CLUBS: UEFA Europa League, Qualification

AZ Alkmaar

  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

vs

Kick-off
18:45 GMT
02 August 2018

FC Kairat Almaty

  • W
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W

Kick-off
18:45 GMT 02 August 2018

Another week of European qualifiers ends on Thursday evening with the second legs of the second round ties. One of the 44 matches sees AZ Alkmaar host Kairat in the Netherlands after losing 2-0 to them in the first leg away from home.

STATS

  • AZ Alkmaar finished last season brilliantly and by coming 3rd in the Eredivisie, they secured a place in the qualification process for the Europa League. They begin the new campaign in a week and a half when they face NAC Breda on 12th August. This will be their second competitive fixture of the season following the first leg which came on the back three consecutive friendly wins.
  • Even though the Kazakhstan Premier League is more than halfway through its 2018 season, Kairat confirmed their place in the Europa League at the end of 2017 when they finished second in the table just one point behind FC Astana. That is the position that they currently occupy after 20 games and they could go one better by securing a Champions League spot with a 1st-place finish at the end of this campaign.
  • Alireza Jahanbakhsh was the top scorer in the Eredivisie last term whilst at AZ Alkmaar, but he has been sold to Brighton this summer so the Dutch side must find another star striker.
  • Two of the three leading scorers in the Kazakhstan Premier League belong to Kairat as Isael and Aderinsola Eseola have scored 10 and 11 goals respectively.

HEAD TO HEAD

The only previous meeting between these two sides came in the first leg of this tie last week. Kairat took advantage of playing in front of their own fans with a 2-0 win which provides them with a solid lead when they travel across Europe on Thursday evening. With their first goal coming after 16 minutes, Kairat dominated the game from there on and deserved their second goal in the 50th minute. Eseola scored both as well as getting booked, he was one of five players to receive a yellow card.

AZ ALKMAAR NEWS

Thursday’s hosts have it all do against Kairat and need a goal in the first-half to keep any hopes of progression alive. With no injured players, their chances are as good as ever.

Latest matches: AZ Alkmaar

26.07.2018 UEFA FC Kairat Almaty AZ Alkmaar 2:0 L
22.07.2018 Club SV Zulte Waregem AZ Alkmaar 0:1 W
18.07.2018 Club AZ Alkmaar Panathinaikos Athens 2:0 W
14.07.2018 Club AZ Alkmaar Sporting Lokeren 2:0 W
07.07.2018 Club AZ Alkmaar FC Midtjylland 1:1 D

KAIRAT NEWS

Regardless of the two-goal lead, Kairat still can’t be complacent heading into this second leg as AZ are a very good team. They must hold onto the 0-0 scoreline for as long as possible and even attempt to score on the counter-attack.

Latest matches: FC Kairat Almaty

29.07.2018 Prem FC Kairat Almaty Tobol Kostanay 1:0 W
26.07.2018 UEFA FC Kairat Almaty AZ Alkmaar 2:0 W
22.07.2018 Prem FC Ordabasy FC Kairat Almaty 2:1 L
19.07.2018 UEFA FC Kairat Almaty UE Engordany 7:1 W
15.07.2018 Prem FC Kairat Almaty FC Zhetysu 2:1 W

SUMMARY

With the home side chasing a 2-0 deficit, they know they’ll have to attack from the very start. Kairat are slight favourites to qualify for the next round but AZ Alkmaar are certainly favourites to win the second leg. It could quite easily go to extra-time but with no away goals, AZ need to stay tight defensively to ensure that their chase isn’t harder than it needs to be.

About the author - Tampines -Tanjong Pagar

  1. Tampines: Tampines Football Club, also known as Tampines Rovers, is a professional soccer team based in Singapore. They compete in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and have a rich history in Singaporean football. Here are some key points to consider about Tampines:

Strengths:

  • Experienced Squad: Tampines Rovers have a good mix of experienced players who bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.
  • Strong Attack: The team boasts several talented attacking players who are capable of creating scoring opportunities and finding the back of the net.
  • Consistent Performers: Tampines Rovers have been consistently competitive in the SPL, often finishing near the top of the league table.

Weaknesses:

  • Defensive Vulnerabilities: At times, Tampines Rovers have shown vulnerabilities in their defense, which can lead to conceding goals.
  • Inconsistency: While they have had successful campaigns in the past, there have been instances where they struggled to maintain a consistent performance level.
  1. Tanjong Pagar: Tanjong Pagar United Football Club is another Singaporean soccer team that participates in the Singapore Premier League. After a hiatus, they made a return to the league in recent years. Here's an assessment of Tanjong Pagar:

Strengths:

  • Resurgence: After their return to the SPL, Tanjong Pagar has shown resilience and determination to re-establish themselves as a competitive team.
  • Young Talent: The team has invested in young players, giving them opportunities to develop and showcase their abilities.
  • Fighting Spirit: Tanjong Pagar has displayed a never-give-up attitude, often putting up spirited performances even against stronger opponents.

Weaknesses:

  • Limited Squad Depth: Tanjong Pagar may face challenges due to a relatively smaller squad and fewer resources compared to some other teams in the league.
  • Defensive Fragility: The team has struggled with defensive solidity at times, leading to conceding goals more frequently.

Overall, Tampines Rovers have a stronger track record and a more established presence in the Singapore Premier League. They possess experienced players and have a history of competitive performances. On the other hand, Tanjong Pagar is a team that has been rebuilding and showing signs of progress. While they may face challenges, they have displayed resilience and a commitment to improvement.

It's important to note that soccer teams' performance can vary over time, so it's always a good idea to keep up with the latest news and updates on their progress.

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