AMSTERDAM – Jozy Altidore got back on the scoresheet on Thursday, closing the scoring with a spot kick as AZ Alkmaar cruised to the second round of the KNVB Cup with a 4-0 defeat of Veendam.
The US striker was involved in the industry for two early AZ strikes, and then set up the third by winning a penalty kick. Altidore's 34th-minute cross from the left edge of the area struck a defender's hand and Viktor Elm did the honors to complete his hat trick.
Having earlier rattled the crossbar from 10 meters, the American finally rang the bell from the spot with 14 minutes to play. Teed up by a foul on Adam Maher in the box, Altidore obliged by slamming his eighth goal in nine games across all competitions into the left side of the net. The power forward nearly added another in the waning moments, with his medium-range header flashing just wide.
The Cheese Farmers have been drawn to visit amateur side Sneek Zondag in the next round, with their place in the final 16 at stake on November 1.
