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.

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