Eagles Win Dutch Cup To End 92-Year Trophy Drought
Dutch football club Go Ahead Eagles ended a 92-year trophy drought when they beat AZ Alkmaar 4-2 on penalties for a first national Cup title.
The club from Deventer converted all of their spot kicks, and goalkeeper Jari de Busser saved twice to clinch the trophy on Monday night in Rotterdam.
Substitute Julius Dirksen clinched matters and as per tradition the winners then celebrated in green bathrobes.
The score was locked at 1-1 after 90 and 120 minutes.vFavoured AZ led from Troy Parrott’s retaken penalty early in the second half, but Go Ahead levelled in the ninth minute of stoppage time, also from the spot through captain Mats Deij.
“I have no words. Childhood dreams have come true here,” De Busser was quoted as saying.
Go Ahead had not won a trophy since a fourth national title in 1933.
Their only previous appearance in the Cup final was 60 years ago in 1965 when they lost against Feyenoord.
The club said that the team will parade through Deventer in an open top bus on Wednesday to celebrate the title.
Go Ahead were promoted back into the top flight Eredivisie four years ago. The Cup win now gives them direct entry into the Europa League.
NAN /Adukwu William, Lagos
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