Another hopeful cross goes behind and that could be it. Just ten seconds to go...
90' +7
Dundalk fans are whistling desperately in the stands as AZ press for a late, late winner. Bel Hassani manages to fire another cross into the area, but this time Rogers does come and claim the ball.
90' +6
SO CLOSE! An inswinging AZ corner goes over a despairing Rogers, and Weghorst throws himself towards the ball but comes up a yard short and it goes out for a goal-kick. Hold on to your hats, Dundalk fans!
90' +5
C. Kilduff gets yellow.
Yellow card Ciarán Kilduff
Bel Hassani drifts in a free-kick from 40 yards out. It's only half-cleared, before breaking in the penalty area, with Dundalk defenders throwing themselves infront of the ball. It's hoofed forward desperately as ten man Dundalk stare at the clock.
90' +4
A big cheer goes up from the Dundalk crowd as they are awarded a free-kick, allowing their players to take their time and run down the clock.
CLOSE! AZ create an opening through the trickery of Haps, who evades his marker and fires a low cross into the area, which is blocked and then a scramble ensues, with some desperate cries for handball. Nothing is given.
90' +3
Weghorst wriggles free of his marker and fires in a low cross, but Dundalk clear.
90' +2
Suddenly the game is frenetic and tense, with AZ desperate to grab a late winner and spare their blushes. But the ten man Irish champions - and semi pros - look good value for their point with six more minutes to play.
90' +1
Nine minutes are to be added here, following the horrible injury to Wuytens earlier in the half, sustained as he scored AZ's opening goal. Can Dundalk hang on for a famous point?
90'
What an incredible turn of events. The game seemed to be heading towards an AZ win, with Dundalk retreating further into their own half since going down to ten men. But Kilduff popped up with the unlikeliest of equalisers, and Dundalk's travelling support is jubilant!
89'
C. Kilduff has scored a goal for Dundalk! Assist by D. Horgan.
It was a stunning assist from Daryl Horgan, who has been mightily impressive all game.
GOAAAAAAAAAAAAL!!!!!! Incredibly, Dundalk are level! It's 1-1! With just 90 seconds to go in the game, substitute Ciaran Kilduff wrestles with his marker and flicks the ball beyond Rochet with the back of his head from a stunning Horgan cross. Incredible!
Minute
Description
87'
M. Johansson gets yellow.
Mattias Johansson is booked for AZ for his foul which stopped a promising Dundalk attack.
86'
CLOSE! AZ are once again denied a decisive second goal. A free-kick is dealt with poorly by Dundalk, and Luckassen acrobatically flicks the ball over Rogers, only for Boyle to hack away off the line.
Strangely, when 1-0 up and the opposition down to ten men, AZ overcommit bodies forward, allowing Dundalk to break and win a dangerous free-kick on the left of the AZ area.
85'
R. Benson gets yellow.
Dundalk launch a high ball into the AZ box, but they cannot find a white shirt. Instead, AZ break and win a free-kick in dangerous territory.
Yellow card Robbie Benson
84'
C. Kilduff enters the game and replaces P. McEleney.
Patrick McEleney is replaced by Ciarán Kilduff for Dundalk.
83'
CLOSE! It's almost 2-0 to AZ, which would truly be game over, but a smart double save from Rogers keeps Dundalk in it. First the stopper gets down low to palm away a stinging Johansson drive, then immediately stands up to smother Souza's rebound.
82'
Substitute Bel Hassani almost works an opening after some clever footwork on the edge of the area, but his low effort is skewed wide of the target.
81'
Van Overeem overhits his cross from a dangerous position on the right flank, as the game enters its final ten minutes.
80'
Dundalk are struggling to get anywhere near the ball, as AZ's numerical advantage shows. Another attempted through ball is just kept out by Dundalk's beleagured backline.
79'
Johansson fires in a low ball to Weghorst's feet, but the big striker cannot control it and it goes out of play for a goal-kick.
78'
The pace of the game has notably dropped since AZ's goal and the sickening injury to Wuytens. Dundalk's ten men are struggling to get out of their own half as AZ are content to knock the ball around and search for an opening.
77'
R. Benson enters the game and replaces J. Mountney.
John Mountney is replaced by Robbie Benson for Dundalk, the scorer of that screamer in their Champions League play-off against Legia Warsaw.
75'
I. Bel Hassani enters the game and replaces A. Jahanbakhsh.
C. Shields enters the game and replaces D. McMillan.
How will Dundalk respond to going down to ten men and losing their influential captain? A draw seems unlikely from this point, but they continue to press determinedly for the ball.
David McMillan is replaced by Chris Shields for Dundalk.
Substitution for AZ, with the impressive Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who was particularly shaken after Wuytens' injury, replaced by Iliass Bel Hassani.
73'
The resultant AZ free-kick is fired over the bar as the Dutch side press for a decisive second goal against ten-man Dundalk.
72'
AZ's club Twitter account has tweeted to say that Wuytens has regained consciousness in the dressing room after leaving the field earlier with seemingly a nasty head injury.
71'
S. O'Donnell gets a second yellow card and is sent off.
Dundalk skipper Stephen O'Donnell has received a red card after picking up his second yellow for that rash challenge on Haps. It's unfortunate for Dundalk but hard to argue with the referee's decision.
70'
A mazy dribble from Haps almost takes him charging into the area, but he is felled by O'Donnell and AZ have a free-kick in a dangerous position.
69'
Jahanbakhsh thinks he is through on the right touchline, but he is pulled back, seemingly for handball. The Iranian winger has looked like AZ's best outlet all evening.
67'
Understandably the game has started slowly after the long break in play. Some neat footwork from Jahanbakhsh almost brings a chance but Dundalk are able to clear.
66'
Ben Rienstra replaces the injured Stijn Wuytens.
65'
B. Rienstra enters the game and replaces S. Wuytens.
64'
The whole stadium rises to its feet as Wuytens is carried off on a stretcher. Play will soon resume after that really upsetting incident. It remains to be seen how both sets of players will respond.
62'
But these are seriously concerning scenes. Rogers, in his attempt to punch the ball clear, actually connected with Wuytens, who immediately went down and has barely moved since. AZ players look extremely upset as the goalscorer receives medical attention on the field.
60'
S. Wuytens has scored a goal for AZ! Assist by R. van Eijden.
GOAL! AZ take the lead against the run of play, when Rogers inadvisedly rushes out of his goal to meet a high diagonal ball, but AZ's Stijn Wuytens meets it first and sees a looping header end up in the goal.
58'
Dogged running from McEleney tees up Massey on the left of the AZ area, but his cross is misdirected and flies behind.
57'
Another great interception and powerful run forward by Horgan ends when he takes a heavy touch, understandable when you consider the sheer effort put in by Dundalk's left winger this evening so far.
55'
W. Weghorst enters the game and replaces F. Friday.
AZ make their first change of the evening, with Wout Weghorst replacing Fred Friday at the head of attack.
53'
AZ started this half at a much faster pace than the last, but Dundalk once again have risen to the challenge and continue to threaten themselves on the counter. This is an absorbing contest with the Irish visitors giving as good as they get.
52'
O'Donnell wastes a great opportunity for Dundalk to counter as they suddenly find themselves with a numerical advantage when AZ committed too many bodies forward. His pass towards Mountney on the right flank is overhit and goes out of play, much to the annoyance of coach Kenny.
50'
Dane Massey fancies his left foot, and on the evidence of his two strikes this evening, he is right to. This time he runs onto a neat lay-off, and from what appears to be a good crossing position, instead fires a fierce drive towards AZ's goal. Rochet is caught off balance, but manages to palm it away from goal.
49'
Some smart link up play sees McEleney in space to the left hand side of the AZ area, but his low cross is quite weak and cannot find McMillan who was prowling at the far post.
47'
AZ win a free-kick in a dangerous position, just to the left of the Dundalk penalty area and around 30 yards out after a strong challenge from Finn is penalised.
CLOSE! AZ are so close from taking a lead early in the second half. A lovely, teasing ball from the free-kick finds Luckassen at the far post, and his pull back goes beyond Rogers but is scrambled away on the goalline before Friday can pounce. A close escape for Dundalk.
46'
No changes from either side. Dundalk get us underway in this second half...
The second half begins with AZ in assertive mood, winning the ball quickly from the kick-off and pressing high up the field. The ball falls to the familiar figure of Ron Vlaar, who lines up a strike with his powerful left foot from outside the box, but it is poorly directed and flies wide.
45'
S. O'Donnell gets yellow.
O'Donnell is booked for Dundalk as the visitors desperately try to go into the break with the score at 0-0.
43'
OFFSIDE! AZ are convinced they have the opening goal, but Friday's strike is ruled out by the assistant referee for offside. And it seems as though they have every right to be aggrieved. A strike from the edge of the area is deflected into the forward's path, and he finishes neatly beyond Rogers, only for his goal to be chalked off. Replays show he was probably onside. A talking point towards the end of the first period.
42'
Another patient piece of AZ build-up play is unrewarded because of persistent Dundalk defensive work, this time Boyle tackling expertly and clearing to safety.
40'
More direct running from Horgan on the left side brings a Dundalk corner. McEleney picked up his pass and fired towards goal from 25 yards out, with Rochet only able to palm weakly behind.
39'
McEleney thinks he is in on goal, but he is marginally offside and AZ are awarded a free-kick.
38'
AZ build patiently down Dundalk's left side, but they cannot get a cross into the area after dogged Dundalk defending, and the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.
37'
Jahanbakhsh, perhaps frustrated that his teammates have been unable to match his quality contribution so far, hacks wildly from 25 yards out, only for his effort to sail high into the stands.
36'
The game has suddenly opened up and play has become stretched. Another break from Horgan is snuffed out, only for AZ to get the ball down the other end and see a cross of their own cross blocked.
34'
A wonderful cross-field pass from Jahanbakhsh lands on van Overeem's left foot, but his strike is blocked. AZ have another opening from the resultant corner, van Overeem again in the action, but his header from Souza's cross sails harmlessly over the bar.
33'
CHANCE!! Masterful play from Horgan and Massey down the Dundalk left brings the visitors their best chance of the game so far. Horgan plays a quick one-two with his left-back and then hares towards goal, but his low strike is saved by Rochet's legs. That was a real opportunity for Dundalk to take a hugely surprising lead.
32'
After treatment and a quick stoppage, O'Donnell is back on the pitch and play continues.
AZ will have to up the tempo significantly here, they are frequently at walking pace when in possession. Another long ball forward is clutched by the grateful Rogers.
31'
Play continues, but Rochet is forced to put the ball out just moments later as O'Donnell finds himself on the turf once more. This will be a worry for Dundalk fans, as their skipper has made an authoritative start to the game.
30'
A late challenge from Friday on Dundalk skipper O'Donnell brings a break in play, which AZ will probably be happy to see after a dominant spell from their Irish visitors.
29'
John Mountney sprints down the right flank and manages to get a cross into the area towards Horgan at the far post. He manages to bring the ball back into play, and it is then returned to him, but his strike from outside the area drifts over. Dundalk are pressing for an opener.
28'
A clumsy challenge by Haps under a high ball on McEleney wins Dundalk a free-kick deep into the AZ half, but they cannot create an opening from the set-piece.
26'
CHANCE! Dundalk left-back Dane Massey finds himself with some space on the left edge of the AZ box, and he takes the ball in his stride and strikes it powerfully towards goal, flashing his shot just over the bar.
25'
Dundalk's first foray forward in some time sees the ball break kindly for them on the left of the AZ box, but the subsequent cross is blocked.
24'
AZ's number 7, the Iranian Jahanbaksh, is looking like the best player on the pitch at the moment. Every time the ball finds him he is causing Dundalk all sorts of trouble.
Tricky footwork from Haps sees him burst towards the byline, but his low cross across the face of goal cannot find Friday.
22'
More terrific play from Jahanbakhsh creates another opening for AZ, this time appearing on the right flank to bring down a high ball and play in Friday. His touch is heavy however, and Dundalk nick it away.
20'
When they lose possession, Dundalk are terrier-like in attempting to regain it, pressing AZ right from their backline.
18'
AZ are playing a bit like the away side here, happy to let Dundalk pass it among themselves in their own half and attempt to hit them on the counter. Jahanbakhsh's pace means that could be a good option for the Dutch side.
16'
CHANCE! In almost a mirror image of his early chance, Jahanbakhsh springs the Dundalk offside trap, drifts in on his right foot, but this time Boyle appears from nowhere and blocks his strike. A heroic piece of defending from the Dundalk centre-back.
14'
The resultant corner finds a Dundalk player unmarked in the area, but he cannot latch onto the ball and AZ are able to clear to safety. The Irish league leaders currently look the most likely to take the lead.
13'
Dundalk are certainly not playing like a team of semi-professionals here. When they are able to get on the ball, they confidently pass it in central areas and are finding some joy around the side of AZ's centre-back pairing. A Boyle cross is headed out for a Dundalk corner.
11'
Chance! McMillan wastes a decent opportunity for Dundalk, only created through his own dogged determination. He ran onto a ball along the line, twisted Vlaar inside out, but then weakly fired a left-footed effort straight into Rochet's arms.
9'
Good covering from Andrew Boyle stops an AZ raid down the right flank. From the resultant throw, AZ carve out a half chance when a shot is blocked and finds Souza in the box, but his touch is poor and Dundalk are able to clear.
8'
These are early stages, but Dundalk have recovered well from that early scare when Jahahbakhsh hit the post. Another hopeful AZ ball forward runs easily through to Rogers.
6'
Dundalk see their first sight of goal, as Horgan picks the ball up on the left, evades a couple of AZ challenges and picks out McMillan just outside the area. But his effort is scuffed and easily gathered by Rochet.
5'
Some easy AZ possession ends when a hopeful punt forward is easily collected by Dundalk keeper Gary Rogers.
4'
Some sloppy defending from Gannon almost sees AZ through again, but he is able to recover and Dundalk scramble the ball to safety.
2'
Dundalk's patient building play almost pays early dividents, but McMillan cannot latch onto a through ball into the area.
CLOSE! AZ quickly break down the other end of the pitch, and Dundalk's comfortable start almost turns into a nightmare one. Jahanbakhsh picks up the ball, drifts in from the left and curls a teasing effort beyond Rogers, but it rebounds back off the post. A lucky escape for the Irish champions early on.
1'
AZ kick-off and we're underway...
Dundalk are on the ball early, knocking it around comfortably along the back four to ease nerves on what is a historic evening for them.
Hello and welcome to the live text commentary for this evening’s Europa League Group D clash between AZ and Dundalk from the AFAS Stadion. This is the Irish champions’ first involvement in a major European competition in 25 years, and it could have been even better for Stephen Kenny’s men, after narrowly losing out in their Champions League play-off to Legia Warsaw last month.
The away side come into this game as massive underdogs, but Kenny says Dundalk’s first ever Europa League campaign is the culmination of years of hard work, and represents an opportunity for his players to impress. They've prepared for the game strongly, having won all six of their games since drawing 1-1 with Legia Warsaw last month, and currently sit ten points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division. Dundalk were actually in action as recently as Monday evening, easing to a 2-0 win over Finn Harps in preparation for tonight’s crunch game.
But this is a real step up for semi-professional Dundalk, with AZ currently fourth in Eredivisie, losing just one of their opening five fixtures. AZ were dumped out in the group stages of this competition last season, but reached the last 16 as recently as the 2013/14 campaign. Head coach John van den Brom steered them to fourth place last season, but says his side will not be underestimating Dundalk.
AZ are unchanged from the side that beat Willem II 2-0 at the weekend, with former Aston Villa stalwart Ron Vlaar their captain. Iranian international and top scorer Alireza Jahanbakhsh starts on the right flank, with the Dutch side likely to utilise Fred Friday as a lone striker.
TEAM NEWS: Dundalk skipper Stephen O’Donnell leads his side out after missing their 1-1 draw with Legia Warsaw through suspension. League of Ireland top scorer David McMillan leads the line, but Robbie Benson, whose thunderous strike gave Dundalk a glimmer against Legia Warsaw, is only on the bench. Darren Meenan and Michael O’Connor miss out through injury.
AZ (4-2-3-1): Rochet; Johansson, Van Eijden, Vlaar (c), Haps; Luckassen, Wuytens; Jahanbakhsh, van Overeem, Souza; Friday.
We're just over five minutes away from kick-off here at the AFAS Stadion. The atmosphere is building inside the ground, with Dundalk's travelling support in fine voice.
The players are out of the tunnel, and we're just a couple of minutes away from kick-off.
HALF TIME: The whistle goes and it's half-time here with the score 0-0 in this Europa League tie between AZ and Dundalk.
I'll be back in around 15 minutes to bring you the second half coverage of this fascinating game, as Dundalk try to gain an unlikely point, or perhaps even three.
There was some arguing on the touchline between the respective managers after the half-time whistle blew, with AZ coach John van den Brom clearly unhappy that his side's goal was ruled out incorrectly for offside. That controversial moment will be the main talking point from the first half, but it would have been hard on Dundalk if they'd gone into the break in a losing position after an assured display. AZ had possibly the better chances, but the Irish champions defended resolutely and looked bright going forward, particularly through the lively Daryl Horgan.
The players are emerging out of the tunnel for the second period, which will be underway very shortly.
FULL TIME! Dundalk do hang on and claim a fantastic point, with their away game at AZ finishing 1-1.
Well, what a finish to the game that was. It looked like damage limitation for the Irish champions after falling a goal behind in the second half, and then quickly going down to ten men after skipper Stephen O'Donnell was dismissed for two bookings. But somehow they found a way back into the game. Daryl Horgan, a constant menace on the Dundalk left, delivered a pinpoint free-kick straight onto the head of substitute Ciaran Kilduff who headed home the unlikeliest of equalisers. The game was overshadowed by a horrible looking injury to AZ goalscorer Stijn Wuytens, and let's just hope his injury isn't a serious one.
So, Dundalk's first Europa League game ends with them gaining a valuable away point which few will have expected. Can they go one better in their next game?
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