VELSEN-ZUID, Netherlands (Interstat) — AZ Alkmaar beat H. Beer Sheva 2-1 on Thursday at BUKO Stadion. Peer Koopmeiners scored for AZ Alkmaar in the 49th minute, assisted by Valdemar Andreasen. H. Beer Sheva equalized in the 55th minute when A. Forson scored, with Zahi Ahmed assisting. Mexx Meerdink scored the winner for AZ Alkmaar. The match featured eight yellow cards. H. Beer Sheva’s P. Amador was booked in the 39th minute, E. Peretz in the 52nd, D. T. Diop in the 76th and A. Ugarriza in stoppage time. AZ Alkmaar’s S. Maikuma was booked in the 45th, A. Oufkir in the 52nd, C. Stengs in the 78th and D. Kasius in the 83rd. Both teams made several substitutions in the second half. AZ Alkmaar moved to 1-0 in the competition and 1-1 overall. H. Beer Sheva dropped to 0-1 in the competition and 3-1-1 overall. The result gives AZ Alkmaar a winning start in the competition. H. Beer Sheva lost its competition opener.