Utrecht enjoy repeat success
Sunday, May 23, 2004
Article summary
Dave van den Bergh's solitary goal enabled FC Utrecht to retain the Dutch Cup by defeating FC Twente.
Article body
A solitary goal by Dave van den Bergh enabled FC Utrecht to retain the Dutch Cup on Sunday, defeating ten-man FC Twente 1-0 at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium.
Tempo raised
The game was a disappointing spectacle, with neither goalkeeper having to make a save until Twente's Cees Paauwe denied Michael Lamei moments before half-time. But the tempo was upped after the interval, with referee Roelof Luinge brandishing six yellow cards and dismissing Jeroen Heubach.
Van den Berg beauty
The goal arrived in controversial circumstances after Twente's Jeroen Heubach had kicked the ball into touch to allow a team-mate to receive medical attention. From the throw-in, Utrecht surprised their opponents by immediately pressing for goal - and Van den Bergh's beautiful 66th-minute finish was unstoppable.
Heubach dismissed
Frustrated by what he viewed as injustice, Heubach soon mowed down Jordi Zuidam, which cost him a red card - and enabled Utrecht to book their place in next season's UEFA Cup.
'Shortest route'
It was Utrecht's third successive final, having lost against AFC Ajax in 2002 and defeated Feyenoord a year later. The importance of the competition has not been lost on Utrecht coach Foeke Booy, who said: "The national cup still is the shortest way into Europe."
