An early Vincent Janssen goal was enough for AZ Alkmaar to reach the KNVB Cup semi final after a 1-0 win over HHC Hardenberg.

janssen az alireAZ were camped in the amateur side’s half from the start and it took only eight minutes for the home side to take the lead with the in-form Vincent Janssen heading in Alireza Jahanbakhsh’s cross.

The rest of the tie saw AZ push forward at will but the second goal never came, with Ben Rienstra sending a point blank range header over the bar, while Janssen saw a mazy run end with his shot cleared off the line. Its been forty years since an amateur side have reached the semi-finals and HHC Hardenberg never really threatened a comeback, but in the last minute Ron Vlaar had to make a crucial block in the box as AZ held on.

AZ march onto the semi-finals as they look to lift the trophy for the fifth time.




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