Both teams were on the field with several missing players and the public was waiting to see how those depleted squads would perform. AZ Alkmaar was familiar to Turkish soccer fans as they eliminated Kayserispor earlier in UEFA Cup. Sukru Saracoglu Stadium was packed with enthusiastic fans, who later on started protesting their own team and caused frustration among the hosts instead of joy.

Fenerbahce started the game with Deivid de Souza as the single striker and had their regular 4-2-3-1 formation. Zico preferred Umit Ozat at the right flank instead of Serkan Balci and surprised the authorities. AZ Alkmaar was still determined despite of their key absentees but Fenerbahce started the game quite well. Hosts wasted 2 clear chances in 75 seconds and missed the chance to take the early lead. AZ Alkmaar recovered quick and took the control of the game in the midfield area. Fenerbahce defensive line was giving S.O.S earlier during the league games and they did not improve at all against AZ either. Demmy de Zeeuw scored one of the easiest goals of his career while Volkan Demirel was helpless between the bars. Fenerbahce fans were totally disappointed and the whole enthusiasm disappeared. Tumer Metin's quick equalizer was expected to bring back the joyful atmosphere but even that did not help as Fenerbahce fans did not believe in their team. Half time whistle was a saviour for Zico, who was expected to correct things at the back of his team.

Fenerbahce started the second half better but their pace lasted only for 5 minutes. AZ Alkmaar scored 2 shocking goals in 1 minute and finished off the game for the hosts. Fans started protesting Fenerbahce players each time they received the ball. Alex de Souza and Volkan Demirel were targeted during those protests. Tuncay Sanli and Tumer Metin scored two fantastic goals to save their team from an inevitable defeat and Fenerbahce equalized once more in the game. Both teams were somehow happy to keep the draw during the last minutes of the game although AZ Alkmaar was the better team on the field after 3-3. Full time whistle gave an enormous advantage to the Dutch side while Fenerbahce were still happy to turn the game around quickly after being 3-1 down in the 63rd minute.

Zico is criticized heavily after the game and some players were further booed by the fans. Alexandro de Souza is one of the key players of the team but he received the greatest amount of protest. Fenerbahce defensive line will improve during the second game as two key defenders will be back for the game in Holland. However, fans were protesting the team mostly because players were like drugged and they did not believe in the victory at all. AZ Alkmaar left the stadium with admiration and applause from Fenerbahce fans, who probably know that the Dutch side will be a lot stronger once the injured/banned players are back for the return leg. Tuncay Sanli and Tumer Metin played a great game together and saved Fenerbahce from a possible defeat. On the other hand, AZ Alkmaar shone with de Zeeuw and Boukahri who probably had one of the best performances ever.