AZ Alkmaar were denied their first Champions League win through a last-gasp Standard Liege equaliser.
Super-sub Traore grabs equaliser a minute into added time
AZ Alkmaar were punished for lacking concentration as Moussa Traore grabbed a last-gasp equaliser for Standard Liege in the UEFA Champions League.
The home side took an early second-half lead through Mounir El Hamdaoui on 48 minutes but failed to make proceeded pressure count with a host of missed chances shortly after the opener.
As the game wore on, the Dutch side looked content with their one-goal lead, inviting pressure from Liege who finally broke through a minute into added time through substitute Traore.
AZ Manager Ronald Koeman looked livid with his defence as a lapse in concentration at a crucial stage of the match cost his side two points and the chance to stake a claim for progression from Group H.
The result leaves the two sides, who both lost their opening fixtures, fighting for third and fourth spot in the group with Arsenal leading the way after their 2-0 win over Olympiakos.
Chances
It took until the 10th minute of the match for the first effort on goal as Deiudonne Mbokani leapt high to beat Kew Jaliens in the air but his tame header caused no trouble for Sergio Romero in the AZ goal.
Maarten Martens carved out the home side's first chance of the game as he connected well with a loose ball from 25 yards, forcing Sinan Bolat to palm wide in the 16th minute.
Mbokani went close again for Liege on 23 minutes as he streamed forward before just missing the target from outside the area via the foot of Jaliens.
Minutes later Bolat was forced into another save when Moussa Dambele's looping header caused him some concern as he scrambled to his line just in time to tip over.
Dembele showed his threat once more on 36 minutes when he cut inside onto his left foot before dragging his shot just wide of the post from around 18 yards as the hosts looked to take control of the game.
Moments later El Hamdaoui showed great trickery on the right wing before delivering in towards Dembele again but this time the danger-man was way off target as his outstretched foot directed the ball way off target.
Mohamed Sarr went into the book for a late challenge as Liege's frustrations started to mount, but still the home side could not find a breakthrough.
Second-half
Wilfried Dalmat threatened the home team's goal in the first minute of the second period as both sides began the restart eager to make a mark.
And it was at the other end just a minute later in which the breakthrough came as Brett Holman fed a delightful through-ball to El Hamdaoui who rolled the ball past the on-rushing Bolat in the Liege goal.
El Hamdaoui threatened to double AZ's advantage twice in as many minutes after the goal as the Dutch side piled on the pressure, with Bolat to Liege's rescue on both occasions.
Some poor Liege marking should have been punished in the 58th minute as a Martens free-kick was met by an unmarked Dembele, who could only steer his header well over the bar.
Jovanovic was booked for simulation on 61 minutes when trying to win his side a penalty, despite the contact taking place just outside the area.
The forward was seemingly clipped by AZ defender Jaliens but his theatrical antics perhaps influenced the referee's decision to brandish the yellow card.
Mehdi Gonzalez forced Romero into a fine save soon after as he collected a short corner and drilled an effort towards the top corner, only to see the keeper get his fingertips to it.
Jovanovic continued Liege's cause, making the opposition's keeper work with another long range shot on target in the 73rd minute.
AZ were happy to slow their play down when in possession in the latter stages, only using counter-attacks and set pieces as a serious threat for a second goal.
And they were made to pay in injury-time when their defence failed to deal with a long ball from Bolat as substitute Traore thumped a loose ball past Romero to deny AZ all three points and break the DSB Stadion crowd's hearts.
| AZ Alkmaar |
Team Statistics |
Standard Liege |
| 1 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 7 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 4 |
Shots off Target |
6 |
| 4 |
Blocked Shots |
5 |
| 9 |
Corners |
5 |
| 13 |
Fouls |
15 |
| 3 |
Offsides |
0 |
| 1 |
Yellow Cards |
2 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 84.5 |
Passing Success |
74.4 |
| 31 |
Tackles |
21 |
| 77.4 |
Tackles Success |
76.2 |
| 61.1 |
Possession |
38.9 |
| 52.2 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.8 |
|
