Verbeek: We deserved to win

AZ Alkmaar coach Gertjan Verbeek was delighted with his team’s Dutch Cup victory over Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA on Thursday.

The visitors came from behind to beat Ajax 3-2 and progress to the quarter-finals of the Cup after Siem de Jong netted either side of goals from Maarten Martens and Charlison Benschop to keep the scores level at half-time.

Rasmus Elm then converted a penalty after 55 minutes to secure the win for Verbeek’s side and the AZ boss believes they deserved to go through to the next round after their first ever win at Amsterdam ArenA.

“We deserved to win,” the 49-year-old told De Telegraaf. “The first-half was fast paced and it was all back and forth.”

“But we had more opportunities. So it was unfortunate for us that it was 2-2 at half-time. We didn’t get off to a great start after the break, but luckily we scored the winner.”

The two sides meet again on Sunday as they return to Eredivisie duties. AZ top the standings, five points above Ajax who are in fourth place.