“IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL CHANT…” — AZ ALKMAAR BOSS DELIVERS SURPRISING STADIUM OF LIGHT VERDICT AND SINGLES OUT SUNDERLAND STAR

Sunderland kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 1-0 win on Wednesday night

AZ Alkmaar boss Leeroy Echteld praised a ‘beautiful’ atmosphere at the Stadium of Light but said he was proud of his side for their performance in the 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

The Eredivisie side produced a strong performance and missed some big chances in the second half in particular, but Enzo Le Fée’s penalty proved the difference between the two sides.

Echteld said his side should have got on the scoresheet but was pleased with how they fared in general play, and said it was a good experience for his side to play in such an atmosphere.

“Fantastic – if you look at this stadium and the people, how they cheer their team, it is beautiful I think,” Echteld said.

“The whole match they try to help the team and for us it is a very good experience to play in this kind of circumstances. I am also very happy about my team because they were not so much impressed at the end. We showed we can play.

“We are a very young team but they can play against a very mature team like Sunderland with good players and a lot of support of the crowd. That makes me most proud, that we can show that we can play. I think if we don’t concede the penalty, we have a big chance to win this game. We are disappointed with our finishing because we deserve, I think, and have to score one goal at least.”