In Alkmaar, a Dutch league afternoon paused for a family’s grief before AZ’s narrow win took them to the summit. Telstar goalkeeper Ronald Koeman Jr. was overcome during a tribute to his mother, Bartina, who died on Wednesday at the age of 65.
Key takeaways
- The match between AZ Alkmaar and Telstar was stopped in the 13th minute for the memorial.
- Supporters at AZ’s stadium applauded as Bartina Koeman’s image appeared on the big screen.
- Koeman Jr. attempted to join the applause but began to cry and then acknowledged the crowd’s gesture.
- AZ won 1-0 to move onto 19 points and first place in the Dutch championship.
- Telstar remain 13th in the table, having collected five points.
A tribute in Alkmaar
Bartina Koeman had been undergoing treatment for breast cancer for several years. Her husband, Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, had previously spoken publicly about her inability to travel with him to the United States for the World Cup because of that treatment.
After the Netherlands were knocked out in the second round of that tournament, Ronald Koeman stepped down from his coaching post. Their son was playing for Telstar when AZ arranged the tribute, with the home crowd offering sustained applause despite supporting the opposing side.
AZ later sent its support to the family with a social-media message: “Strength to the Koeman family.”
AZ take advantage at the top
The 1-0 result gave AZ 19 points after seven rounds. Their rise to first was aided by PSV Eindhoven’s 2-1 defeat to Twente.
PSV are now third on 16 points, one point behind Feyenoord, while Telstar’s difficult start leaves them five points from seven matches and in 13th place.
