A home draw against Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok on Thursday night has put paid to AZ’s hopes of qualifying directly for the round of 16 in this year’s Conference League.

AZ, down to 10 men for 35 minutes of the game, now have 10 points from six games and will take part in the play-offs to determine the final eight places in the third-tier European competition. FC Noah or KF Drita will be their opponents in the intermediary round.

KNVB Cup

In the KNVB Cup competition on Thursday night, Sparta Rotterdam put paid to Willem II’s hopes with a 5-1 away win, while Twente knocked out Spakenburg with a 6-3 victory.

Volendam are also through to the next round but needed two goals in extra time to end the hopes of SC Genemuiden.

Amateur side De Treffers from Groesbeek knocked out fellow amateurs Sportlust ’46 from Woerden 1-0, ensuring their progression as the only amateur side into the third round of the competition.