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On Sunday, in intense and dramatic match, Amsterdam's "Ajax" won the Dutch cup for the 18th time in their history, defeating Alkmaar's "AZ" in the final after a series of penalty shootouts.
Alkmaar "AZ" 1 - 1 Amsterdam "Ajax" 4` [1 - 0] Moussa Dembele 51` [1 - 1] Klaas-Jan Huntelaar 90` Gabri ("Ajax") was sent off the field Ajax won the penalty shootout 8-7
Alkmaar's footballers took the lead early in the match, when Moussa Dembele beat his defender and scored with a shot into the near corner, beating Maarten Stekelenburg. Fifteen minutes later, AZ's defender Ryan Donk doubled the lead, but the referee disallowed the goal, as he handled the ball.
Ajax equalized the score early in the second half, but AZ's goalkeeper Khalid Sinouh initially blocked Edgar Davids' shot, as well as the follow-up shot by Gabri. However, moments later, Sinouh helplessly watched as Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leveled the score after a pass from Wesley Sneijder.
As both teams had their last chance to win the title in this season - AZ lost the lead in the final round of the Dutch championship, while Ajax took second place due to inferior goal difference - the match was filled with intense battles and dangerous moments on the field.
During the regular time, E. Davids had the best opportunity, hitting the post from fifteen meters out. Ajax finished the match with ten men, as Spanish player Gabri received a red card for a foul on Demy de Zeeuw.
In extra time, Alkmaar pressed their opponents, but lacked luck, as Shota Arveladze's header hit the crossbar. In a very tense penalty shootout, Ajax performed better: Stekelenburg initially blocked Donk's shot, and Davids scored the decisive penalty kick.
