Dutch alter cup format
Tuesday, May 27, 2003
Article summary
The KNVB have announced a new format for next season designed to make the Dutch Cup more exciting.
Article body
The Royal Netherlands Football Association (KNVB) has announced a new format for next season's Dutch Cup.
First-round change
As opposed to this season when the first round featured 20 groups, next season's opening round will be a knockout affair. The competition will start with 32 amateur teams playing 30 professional clubs and two youth teams from professional clubs - in each case the amateur team will be at home, although that will change in 2004/05. The remaining 16 amateur teams will play each other.
Path to the final
The six Dutch clubs who qualify for European competition will continue to join the cup in the fourth round. Their route to the final from that stage was previously predetermined following the fourth-round draw, but there will now be a draw after the completion of each round.
More exciting
Should a local authority determine that a match cannot be played, the away side will automatically be awarded a 1-0 victory. The KNVB consulted clubs and coaches prior to making these changes, which are designed to make the Dutch Cup more exciting.
