Milos Kerkez isn’t surprised that AZ Alkmaar found it so easy against Dundee United.
The tangerines went into Thursday night’s Europe Conference League third qualifying round second leg with a narrow 1-0 lead earned after an impressive display at Tannadice the previous week. But it all fell apart in humiliating fashion for Jack Ross ’ team, who found themselves 5-0 down and out of the competition by half-time in te AMAS Stadion.
A nightmare 23-minute spell saw them concede five goals as ruthless AZ put them to the sword, rendering Glenn Middleton ’s stunning first leg strike a distant memory as some of the travelling contingent who made the trip over to the Netherlands heading for the exits well before full-time. They missed another two second half goals for the hosts, who truthfully could have scored more and ensure that United not only matched the record for a worst ever Scottish European defeat, but smashed it.
But Alkmaar defender Kerkez admits the manner of their victory didn’t surprise him. And he revealed how the United fans played a big role in their first leg defeat, ut that also spurred the Eredivise side to do what they did a week later.
“Am I surprised by how easy it was? No, not really,” he said.”
“We go out on the pitch and we wanted to win so we score one, two, three and then we said ‘let’s keep going and let’s not stop.’
At the end, it was seven so it was a great game for us.
“Last week was really disappointing for us and it was difficult for us because Scottish fans are great. The supporters gave the players a boost in the first game.
“We didn’t have a good game but we analysed that game, and we showed in the second game that we analysed them well. That’s why we won.
“It’s always difficult for other teams to concede that many goals. We have respect for Dundee United and the way they played.
“They came out on the pitch and wanted keep to the lead but we came out on the pitch and we wanted to win. Our fans gave us a boost. They were great and the United fans were great too.
“The game started really fast and it was great for us to score seven. We have respect for United and I wish them luck in the Scottish division this season. I think they are a great team.”
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