AZ Alkmaar v Newcastle leg 2

[kennethlindheim]

Newcastle must guard against complacency against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday evening.

The Magpies are bidding to progress into the quarter-finals of the Uefa Cup and hold a 4-2 lead after an impressive showing in the first leg at St James' Park.

AZ were 4-1 behind at one stage, but never once did they change their approach as they continued to pass the ball around with confidence.

Such an approach is likely to be adopted by the Dutch outfit in their own backyard and Newcastle will need to be on their mettle in Alkmaar as AZ are unbeaten in 28 games on home soil in Europe.

Magpies chief Glenn Roeder has vowed to take the game to AZ and will likely field Kieron Dyer alongside Obafemi Martins in attack.

Nicky Butt and Scott Parker produced solid stints in front of the back four in the first leg and they will be asked to do a similar job in Holland.

USA international defender Oguchi Onyewu is ineligible in Europe, meaning Steven Taylor and Titus Bramble will continue their partnership at the heart of the back four.

Craig Moore, Celestine Babayaro and Peter Ramage (all hamstring) are back in training but not yet ready to resume, while Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi remain long-term absentees.

AZ coach Louis van Gaal has promised an improved show from his side and strikers Shota Arveladze and Danny Kovermans are set to play a key part.

Demy de Zeeuw is AZ's creative force and he will be charged with the task of unlocking the Newcastle door.

Barry Opdam missed the weekend draw with Feyenoord but is expected to figure, but Simon Cziommer has joined long-term absentees David Mendes da Silva, Stijn Schaars, Khalid Sinouh and Joey Didulica on the sidelines.

Sky Sports - The Best Sport Coverage From Around The World

[Pennywise]

I think we have a fair chance to get through. However, AZ is NOT a bad team and they're more than able to win against the Magpies in Holland.

[Olzy]

looks like your out....

[kyan]

there's still 10mins, taylor made 2 great clearances off the line

OMG Martins shuld have scored!

[MUFC]

Parker had a clear goal dissallowed, referee bottled it.

Unlucky newcastle but with roeder i think thats as far you will ever get

[kyan]

Typical Newcastle, seem to be doing so well then somehow fk it up in disastrous style... To think they were 4-1 up in this tie

[Olzy]

Taylor made alot of mistakes though. As did Bramble.

Taylor is young and his decision making will get better though.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by kyan

Typical Newcastle, seem to be doing so well then somehow fk it up in disastrous style... To think they were 4-1 up in this tie

They were 4-2 up because it is 4-4 on aggregate. Then 2 goals by AZ and Newcastle go out. Shame I wanted Newcastle to go further. Oh well

[kyan]

Originally Posted by Dellas

They were 4-2 up because it is 4-4 on aggregate. Then 2 goals by AZ and Newcastle go out. Shame I wanted Newcastle to go further. Oh well

No, because in the game at St James' Park Newcastle were leading 4-1 till they gave away a penalty.

[MUFC]

There defence is a shambles, the two goals i just seen is the worst piece of defending i seen for a european game. Just awful.

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by kyan

No, because in the game at St James' Park Newcastle were leading 4-1 till they gave away a penalty.

But it is 4-4 now on aggregate so surely it had to be 4-2 at St. James's park.

[kyan]

Originally Posted by Dellas

But it is 4-4 now on aggregate so surely it had to be 4-2 at St. James's park.

I said at one point Newcastle were leading the tie 4-1, at one point the score was 4-1 even if it finished 4-2 at SJP, it's not complicated...

[Dellas]

Originally Posted by kyan

I said at one point Newcastle were leading the tie 4-1, at one point the score was 4-1 even if it finished 4-2 at SJP, it's not complicated...

Fine I misunderstood I thought you meant that at the end it ended 4-1.

[Pennywise]

Tragic.

We knew that AZ were a great team, but...

[Trim]

Unlucky.