Against All Odds: Legacy Of A Football King
Chapter 101: AZ Alkmaar Draw Level

Chapter 101: AZ Alkmaar Draw Level

Fweeee!

The referee’s whistle echoed through the AFAS Stadion, breaking the tense silence.

Henriksen took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the 18-yard box as players jostled for position.

With a measured run-up, he swung his right foot, sending a teasing cross arcing into the penalty area.

The ball hung in the air, a perfect blend of pace and precision, curling dangerously toward the crowded center.

[It’s a fantastic delivery! Right into the danger zone,] the lead commentator exclaimed, leaning into the moment.

The crowd roared as the ball dipped just over the first wave of players. Altidore, using his strength to shrug off his marker, leapt into the air, his head inches away from connecting.

[Altidore’s so close! If he gets anything on that, it’s in,] the co-commentator added, his voice rising.

But before Altidore could make contact, Gabulov sprang forward, punching the ball clear. The Russian goalkeeper’s effort sent the ball flying, but it lacked distance, falling invitingly to the edge of the box.

There, Elm stood waiting, his eyes locked on the descending ball. Time seemed to slow as he adjusted his stance, his body coiled like a spring, and with one fluid motion, he struck it viciously on the half-volley.

Thwack!

The sound of boot meeting ball was crisp and decisive. The shot flew through the crowd in a blur of white and red that Gabulov could only swing wildly but couldn’t stop its travel as it crashed into the back of the net.

[GOOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!] the lead commentator erupted, his voice nearly drowned out by the deafening roar of the home crowd. [What a strike from Rasmus Elm! AZ Alkmaar are level!]

[And that’s why you stay switched on at the edge of the box. Elm was perfectly positioned, and he’s hit that like a rocket,] the co-commentator added, his tone awed. [Gabulov had no chance]

GOOAAAALLLLLL!~

The stadium erupted into chaos. The home fans leapt from their seats, arms raised in jubilation as they screamed and chanted Elm’s name.

On the touchline, Gertjan Verbeek clenched his fists and let out a roar, his usual composed demeanor replaced by sheer elation.

He turned to his bench, high-fiving his assistants before glancing intentionally at his counterpart.

On the opposite bench, Guus Hiddink was a picture of frustration and his previous calm exterior was now broken, showing to all his true emotions.

His arms crossed tightly as he shook his head and then he turned to his technical staff, barking orders as he gestured toward the field.

The traveling Anzhi Makhachkala fans were stunned into silence, their earlier chants drowned out by the euphoric home crowd.

[The atmosphere here is electric. AZ Alkmaar have been knocking on the door all night, and finally, they’ve found a way through,] the lead commentator said, his voice barely audible over the noise.

[And what a way to do it. Elm’s technique there was pure power—just superb. You could see the determination in that strike,] the co-commentator added.

As the players jogged back to the center circle for the restart, Elm was mobbed by his teammates.

Altidore grabbed him by the shoulders, shouting words of encouragement, while Benjamin and Henriksen clapped him on the back.

The scoreboard now read AZ Alkmaar 1-1 Anzhi Makhachkala, and the match was now in AZ Alkmaar’s favor if it all ends this way.

With an aggregate scoreline of 3-2 and an away-goal advantage to boot, AZ Alkmaar are 35 minutes away from qualifying for the Europa League group stages.

The momentum had shifted, and the home side, fueled by the equalizer, looked hungry for more.

Fweeeee!

The game restarted with a fierce intensity, both sides fully aware of what was at stake.

Anzhi Makhachkala pushed forward, desperate to reclaim the lead, while AZ Alkmaar tightened their defense, ready to pounce on any counter-attacking opportunity.

[This is where composure is everything,] the lead commentator said. [AZ Alkmaar have the edge now, but one slip, and it’s all back in Anzhi Makhachkala’s hands]

[You can feel the tension on both benches, can’t you? Hiddink looks ready to explode, and Gertjan Verbeek is pacing like a caged tiger,] the co-commentator replied, his voice carrying the same nervous energy as the fans.

Anzhi Makhachkala pressed hard, their midfield orchestrated by Zhirkov, who threaded a dangerous ball through to Traoré.

The towering forward muscled past Gorter and fired a low shot toward the bottom corner.

Alvarado reacted with lightning reflexes and dove to his right with arms outstretched, and his fingertips brushed the ball just enough to send it wide of the post.

[What a save! Alvarado’s kept AZ Alkmaar in it with that one,] the lead commentator shouted, the relief palpable in his voice.

[That’s top-class goalkeeping. Traoré thought he’d scored there, and honestly, so did I,] the co-commentator added, shaking his head.

The resulting corner was cleared by Viergever, who rose above everyone to thump the ball back toward midfield.

Benjamin, who was stationed near the halfway line, controlled the clearance with a soft first touch before spinning away from his marker, Jucilei.

The crowd roared as the young winger sprinted down the left flank, his pace leaving the Anzhi Makhachkala defenders in his wake.

[Benjamin’s off again! This kid’s got some serious wheels, hasn’t he?] the lead commentator said, excitement creeping into his tone.

[He’s like a bullet train—unstoppable once he gets going,] the co-commentator agreed.

Benjamin drove toward the box, cutting inside to evade a desperate sliding challenge from Ewerton. Spotting Altidore making a run into the box, he sent a low cross into the six-yard box.

Altidore lunged forward, stretching every muscle to meet the ball. His outstretched foot made contact, redirecting it toward the goal.

[This could be it!] the lead commentator shouted, rising from his seat.

But Gabulov, once again, came to Anzhi Makhachkala’s rescue, diving low to smother the shot.

[Gabulov refuses to be beaten twice! What a keeper,] the co-commentator said, his admiration evident.

The crowd groaned in unison, their hands flying to their heads in disbelief. Gertjan Verbeek clapped from the sideline, his voice booming as he shouted encouragement to his players.

The game’s intensity didn’t waver. Anzhi Makhachkala continued to threaten on the break, while AZ Alkmaar’s relentless pressure kept the visiting side on the back foot.

In the 68th minute, Henriksen intercepted a sloppy pass from Jucilei and immediately drove forward.

He threaded a pass to Berghuis, who cut inside onto his weaker left foot before letting fly from 20 yards out.

The ball swerved wickedly, heading straight for the top corner.

[Gabulov’s beaten—this could be it!] the lead commentator cried.

The entire stadium seemed to inhale at once, only to exhale in unison as the ball rattled off the crossbar and bounced out.

CLANG!!!

[Oh, the woodwork denies him! You can’t come closer than that,] the co-commentator lamented.

Berghuis clutched his head in disbelief, his teammates rushing to console him as the Anzhi Makhachkala defenders scrambled to clear their lines.

[The tension is unbearable. Both sides are throwing everything they’ve got at this,] the lead commentator said, his voice hoarse with excitement.

With less than 25 minutes remaining, the AFAS Stadion was a cauldron of noise.

The AZ Alkmaar fans sang louder than ever, their belief unwavering as their team fought to secure a spot in the Europa League group stages.