AEK Larnaca recorded their maiden victory in the main draw of the UEFA Conference League with a 4-0 win over AZ Alkmaar, in what was the first-ever H2H between the sides.
It’s fair to say that both teams are keen to make the most of their respective campaigns, having had to play 14 qualifying games between them to reach the Conference League proper.
The Dutch side were winless in their last 11 away European outings, and their hopes of ending this record were dealt a serious blow with only two minutes on the clock when Alexandre Penetra caught the achilles of Waldo Rubio with a reckless challenge that resulted in a straight red card.
As expected, the home side dominated following the dismissal, and they were able to make their pressure tell with 25 minutes played. Godswill Ekpolo’s cross was headed goalwards by Riad Bajic, who saw his effort from point-blank range saved, but the rebound fell kindly for Rubio to find the net from a matter of yards to give Larnaca the lead.
AZ had goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro to thank for keeping the deficit at just one at half-time, with the Dutchman tipping Bajic’s point-blank range header over the bar shortly before the interval.
With the Yellow-Greens currently sitting fifth in the Cypriot First Division, there’s no doubt that they are looking to prioritise Europe this season, and Imanol Idiakez’s side took a big step towards victory nine minutes after the restart. Having seen Pere Pons’ goal ruled out for offside, the one-way traffic continued, and Bajic finally got a deserved goal when he headed home Luis Gustavo Ledes’ chipped ball across the area.
The Dutch visitors had done relatively well to keep the deficit at two, but a brace of goals within the final 15 minutes compounded their misery. First, substitute Dorde Ivanovic, just a minute after coming on, raced onto Yerson Chacon’s through ball before slotting past Owusu-Oduro, before Marcus Rohden finished from just inside the area and rounded out a comprehensive victory.
The Cypriots have now lost just one of their last 18 home games in all competitions, while AZ are winless in four.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Riad Bajic (AEK Larnaca)