Historic night for Ajax

AFC Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup with two sides on Thursday when their reserves beat Stormvogels/Telstar 3-0 and their first team thrashed FC Groningen 4-0 in their respective quarter-final ties.

Final date?
The two Ajax teams could meet in the final since they will not face each other in next month's semi-finals. Ajax's first team made it into the last four with an impressive performance, although Groningen did well to stay in the match for most of the first half.

First blood
Rafael van der Vaart drew first blood for Ajax with a header in the 18th minute from an Andy van der Meyde cross. Midway through the first half, Groningen's Ali Boussabon had the chance to level the scores after referee Jab Wegereef awarded a penalty for handball, but his kick struck the crossbar.

Superb solo effort
Wamberto made it 2-0 to Ajax three minutes before the break with a superb solo effort. Nikos Machlas, who replaced Zlatan Ibrahimovic at half-time, then put the game beyond doubt with two goals in quick succession on 50 and 53 minutes.

First to play
The reserves, effectively Ajax's youth team, were the first to play in the Amsterdam ArenA. After a goalless first half, the Ajax youngsters put the game beyond doubt with three goals in a ten-minute period. Jason Culina opened the scoring on the hour followed by a Steven Pienaar goal six minutes later. Stefano Seedorf, younger brother of Dutch international Clarence, then wrapped it up in the 69th minute.

Semi-final fixtures
In the semi-finals - to be played on 6 and 7 March - Ajax tackle great rivals PSV Eindhoven, who beat Feyenoord 7-6 on penalties, and Ajax reserves face FC Utrecht, who beat SC Heerenveen 3-1 last week.