Newcastle v AZ Alkmaar - TalkSoccer

**kennethlindheim** · 08-03-2007, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Newcastle United will be hoping to make the most of home advantage when they tackle AZ Alkmaar.

The Magpies have been impressive at St James' Park in the Uefa Cup, going unbeaten in their five home outings.

However, AZ have proved they travel well with impressive wins at Seville and Grasshoppers earlier in the competition.

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has a double boost ahead of the clash with Emre and Stephen Carr back in contention.

The pair have been sidelined for a number weeks, but are set to feature against the Eredivisie high-flyers.

Carr could fill in at right-back with Nolberto Solano moving back into midfield, although James Milner has impressed out wide of late.

Scott Parker and Nicky Butt played well enough against Boro so Emre may have to settle for a place on Roeder's bench.

January signing Oguchi Onyewu is not eligible so Steven Taylor will partner Titus Bramble at the heart of Newcastle's defence.

Damien Duff could play following a bout of flu, although Michael Owen, Shola Ameobi, Celestine Babayaro, Craig Moore and Peter Ramage are out.

AZ travel to the North East full of confidence after crushing Utrecht 4-0 at the weekend and in Shota Arveladze and Danny Koevermans have a potent attack.

Manager Louis van Gaal believes Obafemi Martins will be Newcastle's man to keep a close eye on.

"When you look at Obafemi Martins, in my eyes he is one of the best strikers at the moment in this league and maybe Europe as well," he said.

"He is flexible, he is fast, he can shoot with both feet and he is a good header of the ball as well."

The Dutch are boosted by the return of midfielder Simon Cziommer, who has recovered from the muscle strain that kept him on the sidelines throughout February.

However, van Gaal will be without midfielders Rogier Molhoek, Stijn Schaars, David Mendes da Silva.

Keepers Joey Didulica and Khalid Sinouh are also absent so loanee Boy Waterman should be in goal for the trip to Newcastle.

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**kyan** · 08-03-2007, 07:58 PM

3-0 to Newcastle after 25 mins, there is only one team in this. Newcastle are pressing Alkmaar really well and Alkmaar can't get the ball.

OG, Dyer and Martins with the goals.

Martins with his 15th of the season, very nice goal, controlled an aerial pass in the box, cut inside 2 defenders and shot with his right foot into the bottom corner.

**kyan** · 08-03-2007, 08:01 PM

Martins is a really fantastic player, his pace is terrifying Alkmaar

But Alkmaar have pulled one back with a powerful header from Arveladze.

Tom Andre · 08-03-2007, 08:09 PM

What a fuck???3-1 to Newcastle.I'm shocked!I really didn't expected that.I thought this would be a tight game.A draw or something.

**kyan** · 08-03-2007, 08:16 PM

it's 4-1 now

I left and missed their 4th goal!

I think Obafemi got it....

and it seems like he's been credited with the first, which means he has a hattrick and there's 4mins of ET of the first half being played now.

Tom Andre · 08-03-2007, 08:21 PM

Newcastle have done a great signing in Martins.Inter should never had let him go.

Jose_Mourinho · 08-03-2007, 08:22 PM

Ye Martins got it another right footed shot... great.

I'm really surprised AZ are so bad. They sounded like they were a better team.

Tom Andre · 08-03-2007, 08:23 PM

AZ have only got beaten 3 times in the league this season.They should be a great team yes.

Tom Andre · 08-03-2007, 10:19 PM

Final Score: 4-2

**kyan** · 08-03-2007, 10:23 PM

Yeah, Alkmaar had a penalty after a handball from Taylor.

The player missed the penalty, it was crap, straight at Given along the ground but it came straight back to the striker who took a touch and then a Newcastle player slid in and tackled him but the ball fell to another Alkmaar player and the Newcastle player on the line and keeper couldn't stop it going in that time.

Tom Andre · 08-03-2007, 10:40 PM

Congrats Newcastle.I think you can make it.

**kyan** · 08-03-2007, 10:41 PM

They always look promising but falter in the QF/SF.

English clubs in general are looking very good in Europe this year though.

Tom Andre · 08-03-2007, 10:44 PM

Quote:

English clubs in general are looking very good in Europe this year though.

That only show the level on the best teams in England.No one have believe in the english teams beside those who support and follow the league closely.

**Pennywise** · 08-03-2007, 11:34 PM

4-2 is a great result against AZ, which is a football team.

Never say never, but I think we will go to next round now.

**bandini** · 09-03-2007, 03:04 AM

Great game today guys. Loved the goals. Martins is a genius. Should have a hatter there. Very nicely done.