5 October 2007, by Tom Kundert

Brave Pacos de Ferreira bow out

AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Pacos de Ferreira (agg. 1-0)

Pacos de Ferreira may be struggling in the Bwin Liga but Jose Mota’s men produced an excellent performance in Holland against AZ Alkmaar last night.

A creditable goalless draw saw the Portuguese team go out of the competition 1-0 on aggregate but with their heads held high.

Pacos ended up paying the price for failing to take an advantage of their domination in the home leg of the tie, in which they twice hit the woodwork before being hit with a late goal.

The match yesterday was again an evenly fought affair. AZ Alkmaar came close to taking the lead in the 10th minute when Ari found himself one on one with the goalkeeper, with Pecanha doing well to keep the ball out.

Ari again came close shortly before the interval but his shot whistled just past the post. On the stroke of half time Edson showed good skill and strength to create himself a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box, forcing Waterman into a sprawling save.

The second half followed a similar pattern with AZ enjoying most of the possession but Pacos keeping the Dutch side at bay and occasionally threatened on breakaways.

Three minutes from time substitute Marcio Carioca had the chance to score a dramatic late goal that would have sent the tie into extra time, but he delayed his shot a fraction of a second allowing a desperate defensive lunge to deflect his effort wide.

Pacos’ first ever adventure into Europe comes to a close, but the modest northern team can take heart from pushing a team that reached the semi-finals of this competition three seasons ago all the way.

AZ Alkmaar:
Boy Waterman, Steinsson, Jaliens, Donk, Opdam, Jenner, Agustien, De Zeeuw, Martens (Mendes da Silva, 77), Ari, Dembele (Cziommer, 52)

Pacos de Ferreira:
Pecanha, Ferreira, Luiz Carlos, Tiago Valente, Mangualde, Filipe Anunciação, Dede, Fernando Pilar (Edson Di, 81), Ricardinho, Renato Queiros (Furtado, 70), Edson (Marcio Carioca, 81)