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Feyenoord qualify for Dutch Cup final

Xinhua, March 4, 2016 Adjust font size:

Feyenoord secured a berth in the final of the Dutch Cup by beating AZ 3-1 in Rotterdam on Thursday.

The Rotterdam-based sleeping giants dominated the first half and had the first major chance when Dirk Kuijt's shot went over the goal after a cross by Eljero Elia. The home-team came in front after AZ midfielder Markus Henriksen put a corner by Tonny Vilhena in his own goal.

With Elia and Karim El Ahmadi wasting chances for Feyenoord the half-time score was 1-0. AZ had a perfect start of the second half. Only 22 seconds after half-time Henriksen equalized on behalf of the visitors.

This goal resulted in a more balanced and exciting second half. With Henriksen missing an opportunity and Dabney Dos Santos hitting the post the best chances were for AZ.

In the 78th minute Michiel Kramer handed Feyenoord the lead again after finishing a cross by Jens Toornstra. Seven minutes later captain Kuijt secured the 3-1 victory by converting a penalty, which was awarded for a foul by Ron Vlaar on Terence Kongolo.

The win led to an explosion of joy in Rotterdam. The Feyenoord fans have not celebrated a trophy since the Dutch Cup of 2008. The last championship was in 1999. Coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst's team is currently third in the league and out of the title race after a bad run in 2016.

With the Cup final on April 24 in their own De Kuip stadium Feyenoord will have a new chance for success. The opponent will be FC Utrecht, which beat amateur side VVSB 3-0 on Wednesday. Enditem