Cup joy eases league pain for Ajax

AFC Ajax recovered from the disappointment of losing the Eredivisie title on goal difference last week by defeating AZ Alkmaar in a dramatic penalty shootout to lift the Dutch Cup.

Dembélé opener
The Amsterdam club, in their 21st cup final, had to come back from behind at the De Kuip Stadium after Moussa Dembélé slipped past defender Thomas Vermaelen and sent a near-post shot beyond Ajax goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg with just four minutes on the clock. Ajax were made to wait until early in the second half before getting themselves back on level terms.

Huntelaar on target
Five minutes after break Wesley Sneijder showed great skill before setting up Klaas-Jan Huntelaar with a fine pass that the young striker finished with aplomb, shooting high into the net. Edgar Davids then came close to putting Ajax in front, hitting the post, before they were reduced to ten men when Gabri was shown a red card for an incident with Demy de Zeeuw. With no further scoring the match went to extra time but AZ were unable to profit from the additional man - Shota Arveladze's header against the crossbar being the closest they would come before penalties ensued.

Davids delight
After the first 14 spot-kicks had been successfully converted Ryan Donk missed AZ's eighth penalty, leaving Davids with a chance to win the cup for Ajax that he gratefully accepted. "This makes up a bit for the lost championship," said Davids afterwards. "It was a real battle between two good teams. But we cannot celebrate for too long, as we have to be prepared for the play-off against SC Heerenveen on Wednesday," he added. Ajax meet Heerenveen in the Dutch league play-offs for a place in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, with the winners of that match playing the victors in the other semi-final between AZ and FC Twente.