German title-chasers Werder Bremen kept AZ Alkmaar at bay in a dour 0-0 stalemate which leaves both sides still in the hunt for a place in the UEFA Cup semi-finals.
A flurry of activity early in the second half presented both teams with chances to break the deadlock, but spurned chances and some fine goalkeeping ensured the tie remained goalless.
Alkmaar, UEFA Cup semi-finalists in 2005, named an attack-minded line-up for the home leg of their quarter-final as they looked to produce a similar performance from that which saw them overcome Newcastle in the last round.
But neither side were able to conjure any real moments of inspiration in a stale and cagey opening period.
The only meaningful attempt on goal came in the 10th minute when Bremen's Clemens Fritz arrowed a right-footed effort in on goal from 25 yards, but Alkmaar goalkeeper Boy Waterman lunged to tip comfortably around the post.
Tempers began to fray in a stop-start first half and Julian Jenner and Fritz both received yellow cards for letting their frustrations show.
The second half began in complete contrast to the first as both sides took to the pitch with a renewed sense of purpose.
Pierre Wome threatened for Bremen four minutes after the restart with a venomous drive from just outside the area, but Waterman was able to tip to safety.
Bremen's Ribas Diego was next to try his luck with a 20-yard rasp but Waterman again beat his effort down.
Lively midfielder Maarten Martens was proving the home side's danger man, and he troubled Tim Wiese's goalmouth with some pin-point corner kicks. But when Moussa Dembele finally connected in the 52nd minute, the goalkeeper managed to hold firm.
Wiese was called into action again moments later, getting down low to his left to prevent Danny Koevermans' left-footed effort finding its target.
Martens' set-pieces continued to threaten and he curled a delightful free-kick narrowly over the bar after Patrick Owomoyela had handled in the 66th minute.
Another free-kick, this time from Bremen's Wome, went close as chances again began to dry up towards the game's culmination.
Fritz nearly stole a valuable away win for the Germans right at the death when he stole into the area in stoppage time, but Waterman kept Alkmaar's hopes alive with a brave save from close range.
ends
Alkmaar, UEFA Cup semi-finalists in 2005, named an attack-minded line-up for the home leg of their quarter-final as they looked to produce a similar performance from that which saw them overcome Newcastle in the last round.
But neither side were able to conjure any real moments of inspiration in a stale and cagey opening period.
The only meaningful attempt on goal came in the 10th minute when Bremen's Clemens Fritz arrowed a right-footed effort in on goal from 25 yards, but Alkmaar goalkeeper Boy Waterman lunged to tip comfortably around the post.
Tempers began to fray in a stop-start first half and Julian Jenner and Fritz both received yellow cards for letting their frustrations show.
The second half began in complete contrast to the first as both sides took to the pitch with a renewed sense of purpose.
Pierre Wome threatened for Bremen four minutes after the restart with a venomous drive from just outside the area, but Waterman was able to tip to safety.
Bremen's Ribas Diego was next to try his luck with a 20-yard rasp but Waterman again beat his effort down.
Lively midfielder Maarten Martens was proving the home side's danger man, and he troubled Tim Wiese's goalmouth with some pin-point corner kicks. But when Moussa Dembele finally connected in the 52nd minute, the goalkeeper managed to hold firm.
Wiese was called into action again moments later, getting down low to his left to prevent Danny Koevermans' left-footed effort finding its target.
Martens' set-pieces continued to threaten and he curled a delightful free-kick narrowly over the bar after Patrick Owomoyela had handled in the 66th minute.
Another free-kick, this time from Bremen's Wome, went close as chances again began to dry up towards the game's culmination.
Fritz nearly stole a valuable away win for the Germans right at the death when he stole into the area in stoppage time, but Waterman kept Alkmaar's hopes alive with a brave save from close range.
ends
Copyright (c) Press Association
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