BRUGGE- AZ made short work of Club Brugge in a friendly match, winning 1-2 at Jan Breydel Stadium. Yukinari Sugawara scored the winning goal after AZ equalized thanks to an own goal.
Tristan Kuijsten made his debut in a match selection for AZ 1.
Early Goals
Only two minutes into the game, loud cheers echoed through Jan Breydel Stadium as Andreas Skov Olsen seized an opportunity and found the net for an early 1-0 lead for Club Brugge. However, their advantage didn't last long. In the ninth minute, a cross from Mees de Wit was accidentally headed into their own goal by Mats Rits, leveling the score for AZ. AZ pressed for a second goal, but chances from Jesper Karlsson and Vangelis Pavlidis couldn't find the back of the net. The first half ended 1-1.
Sugawara
In the 63rd minute, Yukinari Sugawara put AZ in the lead after a great save by Mathew Ryan. Ernest Poku showed excellent vision, providing a precise pass to the Japanese midfielder, who beautifully finished to make it 1-2.
Trophy
The score remained unchanged, and AZ was crowned the winner of the 2023 Brugse Metten! After the match, a prize ceremony took place before Pascal Jansen's team began their journey back. Next week, AZ has another friendly match scheduled, facing Southampton in England.
MATCH CHARACTERISTICS
Club Brugge - AZ 1-2 (1-1)
Friendly Match
AZ Lineup: Mathew Ryan, Yukinari Sugawara (83. Denso Kasius), Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Riechedly Bazoer, Mees de Wit (62. Mees de Wit); Jordy Clasie, Sven Mijnans (83. Djordje Mihailovic), Dani de Wit; Ernest Poku (69. Kenzo Goudmijn), Vangelis Pavlidis (83, Mexx Meerdink), Jesper Karlsson (60. Ruben van Bommel).
Scoring Summary: 2. Skov Olsen 1-0, 9. Rits (own goal) 1-1, 63. Sugawara 1-2.
Referee: Bert Put
