Two goals for Parrott against Sparta in Conference League
Troy Parrott laid down a marker against Czech sides by bagging two goals for AZ Alkmaar versus Sparta Prague in the UEFA Conference League Round of 16 this evening.
The Republic of Ireland striker scored in each half at the AFAS Stadion to ensure AZ have a lead going to Prague next week for the second leg.
Parrott's emphatic finish to the roof of the net from 10 yards out in the 28th minute had given the Dutch side the advantage at the break.
Matyas Vojta equalised five minutes into the second half, only for the Dubliner to find the net again in the 87th minute.
Parrott was denied by the goalkeeper Jakub Surovcík but came alive again when the ball was played back into the box Ro-Zangelo Daal.
The 24-year-old use his thigh for the finish from close-range, giving Surovcík little chance. A VAR check did not change the outcome.
Parrott's form will offer some relief to Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson due to a number of injury concerns in attacking areas and the need to have the hat-trick hero of Budapest to be firing on all cylinders for the World Cup play-off with Czech Republic at the end of the month.
Elsewhere, in the Conference League, Crystal Palace have to do it the hard way in the away leg of their last-16 tie after Cypriot side AEK Larnaca held them to a goalless draw at a blustery Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace and AEK Larnaca drew 0-0
The sides were familiar foes, having faced each other in the league phase at Selhurst Park in October, when the hosts suffered a shock 1-0 loss and were ultimately forced to battle their way through a two-legged play-off with Zrinjski Mostar to reach the knockouts.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was back in Oliver Glasner's squad following a knee injury.
The France international’s failed transfer to AC Milan was one of several January plotlines that had soured the mood in South London that month, but he was largely greeted with warmth when he replaced Jorgen Strand Larsen late in the second half.
Palace were not without their chances, but lacked the end product against a Larnaca side playing for the first time under new boss Javi Rozada.
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