Utrecht have reached the KNVB Cup final after a 2-0 win over an out of form Ajax.
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Ajax headed into the game looking for a positive result after they went out of the Europa League last week before losing 2-0 at home to AZ Alkmaar at the weekend. Erik ten Hag made two changes with Edson Alvarez and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp coming in for Perr Schuurs and Carel Eiting.
Ajax looked off the pace in the opening stages and Utrecht went close to an opening goal through Simon Gustafson. In the 33rd minute, it was 1-0 with Gustafson’s clever free-kick headed into the net by Sander van de Streek.
Early in the second half, Utrecht should have made it 2-0 but Gustafson put an excellent chance wide from close range. In the 65th minute, the Swedish midfielder made up for that miss by netting a penalty after Alvarez was punished for bringing down Van de Streek.
Ten Hag tried to turn things around with Klaas Jan Huntelaar, but Utrecht comfortably saw out the game. The only blemish was a late yellow card for Sean Klaiber which rules him out of the final. The Utrecht player was clearly distraught at full-time.
Utrecht will now go on to meet either NAC Breda or Feyenoord in the final. For Ajax, its another painful result and they must pick themselves up for the Eredivisie title fight.
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