Women’s Cup Upsets: AZ Eliminate Ajax, Feyenoord & Hera Advance

AZ defeated Ajax in the eighth finals of the KNVB women’s cup. Manique de Vette shot the Alkmaarders to victory in injury time: 1-2.

Hera United (2-3 at NAC) and Feyenoord (after penalties against PEC) also qualified for the eighth finals

Ajax has won the cup tournament six times, making it the record holder, but has alternated between highs and lows in recent weeks. After being eliminated in Europe, Ajax lost 7-1 to PEC Zwolle in the Premier League, after which it defeated FC Utrecht 8-0 a week later. With elimination in the eighth finals, the first round with premier league teams, the dip appears not to be over yet.

Ajax expressed support for Isa Colin in advance by posing with her shirt for the team photo. The regular in midfield dropped out against Utrecht with a torn cruciate ligament. “My worst nightmare has come true.” the 21-year-old youth international wrote on Instagram.

Such a knee injury, which is common among football players, requires a recovery of nine to twelve months.

AZ then started sharper and took the lead after seven minutes through Jet van Beijeren. After Bo van Egmond’s equalizer, Ajax pressed on and seemed to be on their way to more. But the missed opportunities cost Ajax dearly due to AZ’s late goal.

Hera United also qualified for the quarter-finals of the cup tournament. The Amsterdam newcomer won his first cup match against NAC Breda: 2-3.

The Brabant low-flyer from the Premier League took the lead in the first minute, after which Hera came alongside, got red and took the lead. In the exciting final phase, the final goal was for Hera striker Samya Hassani, who decided the game with her second goal of the evening.

The match between Premier League sub-toppers Feyenoord and PEC Zwolle was decided via penalties after 120 goalless minutes. Due to two Zwolle misses, the Rotterdam team only had to take four accurate penalties.

Title holder FC Twente will be in action on Saturday, against ADO Den Haag.