Fortuna Sittard and AZ are still goalless at half-time. It is 0-0 in Sittard at the break, but that is largely down to Mexx Meerdink, who passed up a big chance for AZ.
Fortuna went down to ten men after only five minutes when Ole Romeny was shown a straight red card. Even with a man advantage for almost the entire first half, AZ could not find a goal.
During the half-time analysis, ESPN reporter Cristian Willaert drew a comparison with PSV v AZ (0-4), the battle for the Johan Cruyff Shield. On that occasion, AZ did make their numerical advantage count after Joey Veerman's red card.
“Fortuna can defend a bit better than PSV as well,” analyst Kenneth Perez replied. “The intentions are very defensive in any case, and AZ are largely trying the same thing: through the middle, where it is especially very crowded.”
“They are not very accurate in their play. In fact, they are only accurate once. And that was with that big chance.” Perez was referring to Meerdink's opportunity. The striker went clean through on Fortuna goalkeeper Mattijs Branderhorst, but struck the ball tamely. Branderhorst made the save.
“It really almost makes me angry, how nonchalantly Meerdink deals with this chance,” said Perez. “You know you probably will not get too many. Is that really finishing?”
“It has to be hit firmly and high, or firmly past your standing leg, to the right of the goalkeeper. This is an easy chance. And then that match is over.”