AZ thrash NEC 5–1 to lift first KNVB Cup since 2013

AZ Alkmaar were crowned KNVB Cup champions on Sunday after a convincing 5-1 victory over NEC Nijmegen in the final at The Kuip. It is AZ’s fifth cup win and its first since 2013. For NEC, the wait for their first major trophy goes on.

It was a redemption story for the Alkmaarders. They were defeated in the final last season by Go Ahead Eagles on penalties. The victory also ensures that they will be playing in the UEFA Europa League next season, no matter what their league position is.

Both managers went with experience for the game. Jesper Cillessen was picked to start the game in goal for NEC ahead of Gonzalo Crettaz, while AZ were boosted by the return of team captain Jordy Clasie.

NEC were slightly more dangerous in the opening phase of the game. The first significant chance fell to them when Sami Ouiassa played a low ball to Noe Lebreton, whose shot went wide.

AZ hit the crossbar midway through the first half when Clasie smashed a shot onto the crossbar before Peer Koopmeiners played a one-two with right back Elijah Dijkstra, but his attempt was stopped by Cillessen at close range.

The Alkmaarders took the lead in the 32nd minute. Ro-Zangelo Daal beat Tjarron Chery before playing a low pass into the box, which fell perfectly for Mees de Wit, who converted the chance with ease.

Lee-Roy Echtold’s side doubled their lead in the 67th minute. Kees Smit was played in behind the NEC defence, and although the young midfielder did not have the pace to sprint towards goal, he still capitalized on the situation by slowing it down before playing a well-timed pass to Sven Mijnans. He took one touch before playing a low shot under Cillessen.

As has been the case throughout the season, NEC manager Dick Schreuder went with a risky, aggressive press, and this led to several goals for AZ in the final stages. The 3-0 came in the 72nd minute when Koopmeiners finished a one-on-one with Cillessen by chipping the ball over the Oranje international. It was a poignant moment for Koopmeiners, who had given away a penalty in the dying seconds of the final last season.

NEC got a goal back in the 78th minute when substitute Koki Ogawa headed a corner taken by Chery into the goal to give the Nijmegenaren some hope.

But it proved to be false hope as AZ got their fourth goal in the 85th minute when NEC’s aggressive strategy was punished once more. Troy Parrott won the header over center back Philipe Sandler, and this led to Smit running in on goal and lobbing the ball high over Cillessen and into the goal.

Parrott, who had worked tremendously hard for his side all game, got his goal in the final seconds of the game. The Irishman had plenty of space in the box, and his shot was deflected into the goal.