AZ seal European football with last-gasp winner against Twente

AZ Alkmaar claims the last European football ticket for next season as an injury-time goal sealed a thrilling comeback win against Twente in the play-off final.

With the score standing at 2-2, AZ looked to be hanging on for extra time as Twente camped out in their penalty area without managing to forge a clear opening.

But substitute Troy Parrott broke away on the left-hand side and hit a shot from a tight angle that Przemyslaw Tyton could only parry into the path of Ibrahim Sadiq, who made no mistake from close range.

Two goals from the Eredivisie's top scorer Sem Steijn, including a penalty in the 22nd minute after Ricky van Wolfswinkel was bundled over, had given the Tukkers an advantage that reflected their first-half dominance.

AZ struck back almost immediately with their first real attack, Mexx Meerdink smashing in a rebound after Steijn had blocked a shot by Ernest Poku on the line, to cut the deficit before half-time.

Seven minutes after the break Ruben van Bommel took down a high ball on the left-hand flank, found a space between two defenders and let rip with a shot that flew into the top corner from 25 meters out.

AZ will play in the second qualifying round of next season's Conference League, completing a line-up of six Dutch clubs in Europe.

Ajax and PSV go straight into the group stage of the Champions League, while Feyenoord will start their campaign in the third qualifying round.

Cup winners Go Ahead Eagles go straight into the league stage of the Europa League, with Utrecht going into the second qualifying round as an unseeded team.

The draw for the second qualifying rounds will take place on June 18, while the fixtures for the third qualifying rounds will be decided on July 21 once the second-round matches have taken place.

In the play-offs for the final spot in the Eredivisie, Willem II beat Dordrecht on penalties after winning the second leg of their tie 3-2 in Tilburg.

Willem II will now defend their Eredivisie place from last season against Telstar, who beat Den Bosch 2-1 on aggregate. The club from IJmuiden last played top-flight football in the 1977-78 season.

It would make Willem II the first team to retain their top-flight status since the current format for the play-off , in which the team finishing 16th is pitted against six challengers from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, was introduced five years ago.

Telstar will host the first leg on Thursday evening, with the return match in Tilburg on Sunday.