In Leeuwarden, where Cambuur’s Kooi Stadion carries the close, restless feel of a provincial afternoon, AZ Alkmaar left with a point and a familiar sense of unfinished work. Mateo Chávez, the Mexican defender who has made the left side his own in Leeroy Echteld’s selection, came close to turning the match in AZ’s favour before a 2-2 draw kept the visitors near the top of the Eredivisie.
Chávez made his ninth successive league start on Sunday, another indication of his growing importance since arriving from Chivas. Yet his defining moment came without the reward it appeared to promise. With the contest level at 1-1 in the 31st minute, AZ won a corner and the 21-year-old found space centrally, a few yards from goal.
He could not meet the delivery cleanly, making contact with the upper part of his head rather than directing it firmly with his forehead. The effort travelled towards Thijs Jansen, but the Cambuur goalkeeper still needed a sharp left-handed stop close to the line. The loose ball briefly remained in the six-yard box before the home defence cleared it away.
A four-goal afternoon in Friesland
Cambuur had struck first through Nicolás Binder after seven minutes. AZ responded in the 24th minute when Ro-Zangelo Daal brought the visitors level, setting up Chávez’s missed opportunity shortly afterwards.
The home side restored its advantage before the interval, Ilyes Hamache scoring in the 39th minute. Cambuur’s task changed decisively nine minutes into the second half, however, when Devid Eugene Bouah was sent off. AZ pressed for an equaliser against 10 men and eventually found it from the penalty spot: Mexx Meerdink converted in the 83rd minute to make it 2-2.
Chávez was withdrawn in the 63rd minute, his afternoon ending before AZ’s late recovery. The draw leaves the Alkmaar club second in the Dutch table on 20 points, three behind leaders Feyenoord.
Armenia before Twente
The next journey takes AZ beyond the Netherlands, to Armenia for a Europa League meeting with Ararat-Armenia on Thursday 22 October. Kick-off is scheduled for 10:45 Central Mexico time. AZ have taken one victory and one defeat from their first two league-phase fixtures and stand 20th in that table.
After the European trip, the domestic route leads to Twente. AZ are due to play their Eredivisie Matchday 10 fixture on Sunday 25 October, with the match scheduled for 13:00 Central Mexico time. For Chávez, the recent sequence of starts has made each crossing part of a broader season: league contention at home, a continental campaign abroad, and a steadily firmer place in Alkmaar.
