Go Ahead Eagles wins wild Dutch Cup final on penalties after tying AZ in stoppage time
Deventer football club Go Ahead Eagles won the Dutch Cup for the first time in history, defeating AZ Alkmaar on penalties during the final in De Kuip. By prevailing in the shootout, Go Ahead secured a place in the Europa League group stage next season after winning their first appearance in the cup final in 60 years. The stunned crowd at the Rotterdam stadium saw Go Ahead captain Mats Deijl pull his team level on a penalty in the ninth minute of stoppage time, tying the game at 1-1.
His team's goalkeeper, Jari de Busser, saved the third and fourth penalty during a shootout, after neither team scored during 30 minutes of extra time. The Deventer club scored all four of its shots during the last phase of the cup final, with last-second substitute Julius Dirksen knocking the decisive ball in the back of the net.
Both teams started the match with an attacking mindset, creating opportunities in the first half, where Go Ahead found clear scoring opportunities. The Alkmaar club held possession for longer, with attacker Troy Parrott striking the post.
When the players came out for the second half, the match referee briefly suspended the match after Go Ahead fans set off fireworks, causing dense smoke and limiting visibility. Moments after play resumed, a lengthy review from the VAR in the 49th minute prompted officials to award AZ a penalty.
Go Ahead defender Joris Kramer was determined to have fouled midfielder Ernest Poku, setting up Parrott's penalty. His first attempt was saved, but the match official ruled Go Ahead's Mathis Suray ran into the area too quickly when he sent the ball clear. The penalty was taken again, with De Busser diving the wrong way as Parrott scored in the 55th minute to make it 1-0.
Go Ahead Eagles pressed hard for an equalizer in the closing stages of the match. Their efforts appeared to be in vain until deep into stoppage time when AZ defender Peer Koopmeiners handled the ball in the penalty area. Despite Koopmeiners' protests that he had been fouled, the referee awarded a penalty which was confirmed by the VAR. Deijl calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, sparking jubilant scenes among the 17,500 Go Ahead supporters in attendance.
The first half of extra time saw AZ regain the upper hand, though fatigue began to show on both sides of the pitch. De Busser made several key saves for his side, though his teammates also had chances to score. With no further goals, the final went to a penalty shootout.
Go Ahead Eagles prevailed in the shootout, securing their first-ever Dutch Cup title and their a place in the Europa League. The Deventer club will play at least eight matches of European football next season.
It was also a lucky day for the Go Ahead supporter who had already purchased a tattoo with his team's cup win earlier this month. "I hope he doesn't have to laser it off," said Deijl during a press conference last week.
Before the match, AZ manager Maarten Martens said he was trying to block out negativity and pessimism his team faced in the run-up to the final, with many Alkmaar supporters saying their team was likely going to lose to their rivals. AZ only has three points in its last six Eredivisie matches, not having won since the end of February.
"We've been having a bit less luck in the Eredivisie lately," said Martens at the KNVB headquarters in Zeist before the final. "We need to radiate a lot of energy and passion."
Deijl also felt his own team was not favored to win. "AZ is the bigger club, with a longer history and better finances. It is all new to us, although that can also have a positive effect. It seems obvious to me that AZ is the favorite, although it is a compliment that people see it differently," said Deijl during a press conference in Zeist last week.
For Go Ahead, it was their first time playing in a cup final since 1965. "You can really feel it in the city, there are flags everywhere," Deijl said of his club's home in Deventer. "We are really feeling supported."
