AZ Alkmaar's 5-1 KNVB Beker Round of 16 win over FC Dordrecht on December 18 punched their ticket to the quarterfinals against FC Den Bosch.
Benjamin's goal and assist, paired with Altidore's brace, had the fans buzzing, their chants echoing into the Alkmaar night. But there was little time to celebrate—three days later, on Friday, December 21, AZ Alkmaar faced a tough Eredivisie clash against FC Twente at 7:45 PM.
Twente, sitting fourth in the league, were a formidable side, their attacking flair and solid defense a real test for AZ Alkmaar's title chase.
At De Grolsch Veste in Enschede, the air was crisp, the stands packed with Twente's red-clad fans, their banners swaying in the cold breeze.
A smaller pocket of AZ Alkmaar supporters, dressed in red and white, made their presence felt, their voices cutting through the home crowd's roar. The floodlights cast a sharp glow on the pitch as the teams warmed up, the tension palpable.
