AZ and Co back in business

By Berend Scholten

Second in the Eredivisie, four points ahead of third-placed Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar face the possibility of playing UEFA Champions League football next season. Their priority right now, however, is the UEFA Cup and they were 2-0 winners in their opening group stage game against AJ Auxerre.

Proud record
Considering that Co Adriaanse's side were playing in the Dutch second division as recently as 1998, Alkmaar's success this season can be seen as the latest chapter in a proud history of overturning the odds.

Lone title
Back in the 1980/81 season, they became the only team outside the eternal triangle of AFC Ajax, Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven to win the Dutch title in the last 40 years, and the following May they reached the final of the UEFA Cup only to lose out on aggregate to another unfashionable side, England's Ipswich Town FC.

Willem II success
They have a coach with a similar reputation for achieving the near-impossible in Adriaanse. After all, he was the man who led Tilburg side Willem II to second place in the Eredivisie in 1998/99 and then on to the UEFA Champions League group stage in 1999/00.

Giant leaps
Nonetheless, for both Alkmaar and Adriaanse, every step they make in Europe is still a giant leap. A two-legged win against PAOK FC in the first round of the UEFA Cup was a major success, while Stein Huysegems' two goals in the opening Group F win against Auxerre were an even bigger coup.

Controlled aggression
Adriaanse's side are experts in controlled aggression. They aim to overwhelm straight from the whistle, playing quick, attacking football and often scoring goals early in the game. The midfield duo of Barry van Galen and Denny Landzaat have been particularly effective in this capacity this season.

Oldest debutant
Indeed, the 34-year-old Van Galen made history of a sort last week when he became the oldest ever debutant for the Dutch national team in the 3-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win against Andorra, in which his 24-year-old Alkmaar team-mate Joris Mathijsen also made his debut as a substitute.

Landzaat revived
Like Mathijsen, Alkmaar captain and playmaker Landzaat is another former Willem player who is thriving in Marco van Basten's new-look national team. Adriaanse knew the former AFC Ajax trainee from his time as head of the Amsterdam club's youth department and has resurrected his career.

Grateful playmaker
"Because I came to AZ I was able to get back to my old top form again," said Landzaat, who has won four caps since UEFA EURO 2004™. "I have been able to make my comeback for the national team and that is what I want to thank the coach and the team for."

Wronki trip
Of course, the best way to show his gratitude would be to help Alkmaar get a win in their second Group F game at KS Amica Wronki on Thursday. Adriaanse has already identified the game in Poland as a crucial one. "We will need the three points in Poland," he said.

Difficult matches
"We have to win, otherwise it will become difficult to finish in the top three in this group," added the 57-year-old. "Because in the following matches we will not find it easy to beat a top European side like Rangers [FC], while the final away match against Grazer AK will not be easy either."

Dangerous Dutchmen
However, bearing in mind Alkmaar and Adriaanse's reputation for upsets, both teams would do well to take the Dutch side very seriously indeed.