Alkmaar sense semi-final spot

A late strike from Robin Nelisse gave AZ Alkmaar a 2-1 victory and clear advantage to take into the home second leg of their UEFA Cup quarter-final against Villarreal CF.

The goal restored Alkmaar's lead after they had opened the scoring through Denny Landzaat on eleven minutes although Juan Román Riquelme soon equalised. The Dutch side thus became the first side to score and win at El Madrigal in UEFA competition this season, moving a step closer to emulating their side of 1981 which reached the final of the UEFA Cup.

The Alkmaarderhout has not been a happy hunting ground for away teams this season, with Alkmaar winning each of their five UEFA Cup encounters. In all, Co Adriaanse has presided over just one defeat in the UEFA Cup, 2-0 at SK Sturm Graz with qualification for the knockout stage already secure. UEFA Intertoto Cup winners Villarreal have an equally imposing record as Thursday's defeat was just their second in 17 European games this term.

Alkmaar's dream of reaching the UEFA Cup final for the first time since 1981 was made more likely by their win at El Madrigal - all eight previous visitors, including Round of 16 opponents FC Steaua Bucuresti - having lost. Coincidentally, it was Steaua who FC Barcelona overcame immediately prior to their 1977/78 UEFA Cup tie with Alkmaar, the Dutch club's only previous meeting with Spanish opposition.

That tie was settled on penalties, with Dutch players striking key blows against the Dutch club. The teams drew 1-1 in the Netherlands with Kristen Nygaard's opener cancelled out by Barça's Netherlands' player Johan Neeskens. The return leg at Camp Nou also finished 1-1, with Kees Kist's 69th-minute strike following a 32nd-minute penalty by Carlos Rexach. Nygaard missed early on in the ensuing shoot-out, with the most famous Dutch footballer of all - Johan Cruyff - scoring the decisive spot-kick for the Catalan club.

Villarreal reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup last season, losing to eventual winners Valencia CF, and have lost four of their 23 matches since making their debut in this competition in 2003/04.