Dutch Cup Final: Can NEC End the Drought or Will AZ Claim Their Fifth Trophy?

Since its inception in 1899, when RAP, a club from Amsterdam, triumphed over the ten-time Dutch champions HVV with a 1-0 victory, the KNVB Beker has celebrated its champions a remarkable 106 times. This underdog victory marked the beginning of an incredible journey for the Dutch Cup, setting the stage for countless memorable moments.

Throughout 106 finals, the dominance of the Dutch footballing elite, often referred to as the ‘Big Three’, is evident. Ajax leads with an impressive 20 titles, followed by Feyenoord with 14, and PSV with 11 titles, collectively winning almost half of all cup championships.

This season, however, the stronghold of Ajax, PSV, and Feyenoord has been shaken, with none of the trio competing in the KNVB Beker for the second year running. Following the memorable achievement of Go Ahead Eagles in clinching their first major trophy since the 1930s last year, NEC Nijmegen and AZ are set to battle it out at De Kuip, the traditional home of Dutch football.

AZ: The Ultimate Cup Fighters

A glance at the all-time winners’ list showcases AZ as fierce competitors, boasting the highest number of cup titles among all Dutch teams outside the ‘Big Three’, with 4 to their name—equalled only by the now-amateur club HV&CV Quick, who claimed all their honours between 1909 and 1916.

After suffering a dramatic defeat in last year’s final, where they lost to Go Ahead Eagles in a penalty shootout after conceding a late equaliser, AZ are determined to reclaim glory. They began their cup journey with a straightforward 3-1 victory over PEC Zwolle after receiving a bye for their European commitments. However, they faced a daunting task in the round of 16 against Ajax, whom AZ previously eliminated in the same round a year earlier.

Ajax met a similar fate but in a far more staggering manner as AZ thrashed the Amsterdam giants 6-0. Shortly after, AZ manager Maarten Martens was dismissed, leaving interim coach Lee-Roy Echteld to guide a team still contesting the KNVB Beker and the UEFA Conference League. The team has shown their resilience by winning 2-1 in extra time against FC Twente and overcoming underdogs Telstar in the semifinals with a repeat scoreline.

Now, AZ find themselves in their ninth KNVB Beker final, eager for their first title since 2013.

NEC: Time to Change the Narrative

A palpable sense of anticipation fills the city of Nijmegen this week as fans hope to finally shed their underdog moniker. NEC have appeared in more finals without a win than all but two teams in European domestic cup competitions. The club has reached the KNVB Beker final five times—from 1973 to 2000—but has yet to lift the trophy, trailing only Northern Ireland’s Larne and FC Ruggell from Liechtenstein in this unfortunate statistic.

This year, there is excitement brewing. NEC are not merely fighting to end a cup drought; they are also in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot, currently in the race for second place in the league. Head coach Dick Schreuder has orchestrated a remarkable Eredivisie season, with the team employing an exhilarating attacking style, as evidenced by their impressive goal tally of 72 goals scored and 48 conceded over 30 matches, giving supporters an average of 4 goals per game.

Key Players to Watch

For NEC, keep an eye on Kodai Sano, the midfield dynamo, and veteran forward Tjaronn Chery, whose left foot has produced 15 goals and assists this season. Flanking them, wingers Başar Önal and Sami Ouaissa will be looking to continue their impressive contributions, boasting a combined 28 goals and assists.

The Favourites

Choosing a favourite for the cup final is never straightforward. NEC have won four of their last six matches, including a notable victory over Eredivisie champions PSV in the semis, while AZ recently dismantled Ajax and have claimed five wins in their last seven games. AZ will also be contending with Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Conference League quarterfinals, adding to their busy schedule.

In their previous encounters this season, NEC outshone AZ, winning 2-1 in Nijmegen and 3-1 in Alkmaar, giving them a clean sweep against their rivals. With just six points separating them in the league—NEC currently sitting third and AZ in sixth—NEC appears to have the upper hand going into Sunday’s final. Nevertheless, AZ has shown exceptional resolve in prior finals, coming dangerously close to securing a fifth KNVB Beker title just 12 months ago.

Mark your calendars: The KNVB Beker final is set to kick off at 18:00 CET on Sunday, April 19th.