American Exports: Aron Johannsson fails to convert PK, but AZ Alkmaar hold on for Eredivisie win

AMSTERDAM – Aron Jóhannsson was kept off the score sheet in several ways on Sunday, but it didn't matter as AZ Alkmaar posted a 2-1 Eredivisie victory over visiting Zwolle.

The US forward was briefly awarded the sixth-minute AZ opener after he appeared to get a soft kiss header to Steven Berghuis' right-wing cross. However, the official soon ruled that the in-swinging serve bounced into the away net untouched, reverting credit to Berghuis.

Jóhannsson was doing his part as the hosts looked set to run rampant in the first half. Just after Nemanja Gudelj made it 2-0 in the 15th minute, the American was robbed on a close-range header by Man of the Match Diederik Boer.

The Zwolle netminder was not done interacting with Jóhannsson, though. Boer tripped up the AZ ace in the area in the 54th minute, and then saved his resulting spot kick.

Jóhannsson departed in the 73rd minute, getting a little early rest ahead of Thursday's KNVB Cup semifinal visit from Ajax. Seventh-place AZ have now won three of four in league play.