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AZ to visit FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in UEFA Conference League

AZ striker Mexx Meerdink celebrates scoring a goal against Levski Sofia
AZ striker Mexx Meerdink celebrates scoring a goal against Levski SofiaČTK / imago sportfotodienst / IMAGO
Eredivisie side AZ have been drawn against English FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in Friday's draw of the UEFA Conference League's league phase.

AZ, finalists of the UEFA Cup in 1981, won last season's Eredivisie play-offs after beating FC Twente 3-2 in Alkmaar.

The team of former Spurs starlet Troy Parrott and Kees Smit, who won this summer's Under-19 European Championships with the Netherlands and was voted best player of the tournament, return to the Conference League main draw for the third time after beating Ilves, Vaduz, and Levski Sofia in qualifying.

Last year, AZ impressed in the UEFA Europa League by eliminating Galatasaray from the knock-out rounds with a 4-1 home win. The Alkmaar outfit later beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at home, but were knocked out by the eventual finalists after a 3-1 loss in North London.

Full draw

AZ will return to London this season and make trips to Eastern and Southern Europe. The exact dates will be announced by UEFA later this weekend.

AZ – Slovan Bratislava

Crystal Palace  - AZ

AZ – Jagiellonia Bialystok

Drita – AZ

AEK Larnaca – AZ

AZ - Shelbourne