AZ Alkmaar escape in Dutch Cup

AZ Alkmaar needed extra time to take distance from amateur side Spakenburg in the Dutch Cup, while PSV Eindhoven advanced after an away win at Roda JC.

Defending league champions AZ had an extremely difficult time in their home match with Spakenburg, who took an early lead through Thijs Houwing.

It took until the 51st minute for substitute Pontus Wernbloom to equalize, after which Stijn Schaars made it 2-1 in minute 76. Against all expectations however, Christy Bonevacio leveled late on to force extra time.

But in extra time, AZ clearly had more energy than their opponents. Wernbloom, Nick van der Velden and Mounir El Hamdaoui scored for a 5-2 win.

PSV Eindhoven never impressed in the match at Roda JC, but walked away with a 0-2 win. Stanislav Manolev netted the opening goal in the 32nd minute, and Jonathan Reis added a second in the 78th.

FC Twente left it until late to increase the gap with amateur team Capelle. A goal from Luuk de Jong gave Steve McClaren’s men a lead in the 28th minute, but it took until the 88th minute for De Jong to add a second. Nikita Rukavytsya went on to make it 3-0 in added time.

The draw for the round of sixteen will be performed on Thursday, following the match between Dordrecht and Ajax.