Ajax clinch Dutch cup title after thrilling shootout

Ajax Amsterdam secured a second successive Dutch cup title after beating AZ Alkmaar 8-7 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw at De Kuip Stadion in Rotterdam.

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

الإثنين، 07 مايو 2007 - 15:45

Ajax Amsterdam secured a second successive Dutch cup title after beating AZ Alkmaar 8-7 in a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 draw at De Kuip Stadion in Rotterdam.

Veteran midfielder Edgar Davids scored the decisive penalty after AZ youngster Ryan Donk missed for his team.

The thrilling shootout rally gave both goalkeepers a difficult evening, as the first fourteen players made no mistake from the spot, until Ajax guardian Maarten Stekelenburg blocked Donk's effort.

Belgian youngster Moussa Dembele put AZ in front after just 4 minutes, but Ajax equalized five minutes after the break through prolific striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The trophy comes as a consolation to the Amsterdam masters, following the heartbreaking Dutch Eredivisie finale that saw them lose the title to PSV Eindhoven with a one-goal difference.