Go Ahead beats Sparta on penalties, also Heracles and AZ through in the cup

AZ, Heracles Almelo and Go Ahead Eagles have qualified for the third round of the KNVB cup tournament. AZ won 3-1 against FC Groningen, Heracles defeated NEC after extra time (1-0) and the Eagles were too strong for Sparta Rotterdam in the penalty shootout.

AZ took an early lead against FC Groningen. Sven Mijnans scored the opening goal in the fourth minute by tapping in a low cross from Ernest Poku. Even before half time, Leandro Bacuna made it 1-1 by shooting a penalty low into the corner.

In the second half, AZ ran away from Groningen via Ruben van Bommel (2-1) and substitute Jaydan Addai (3-1). The assist to Van Bommel came from Troy Parrot, who prepared the ball for the attacker with his heel.

Heracles and NEC had little difference. The first real danger came halfway through the first half from the foot of NEC player Basar Önal, who was completely overlooked by the Heracles defense on the edge of the sixteen. His effort was hard, but was turned back.

Despite ample opportunities (Heracles recorded fourteen shots, NEC eighteen), both teams failed to score in regular playing time. At the start of extra time, NEC substitute Sontje Hansen had a free way to the goal, but Heracles keeper Fabian de Keijzer made the save.

On the other side of the field, it was Sem Scheperman who gave Heracles the win in the 117th minute. The 22-year-old midfielder headed the ball between two defenders from close range.

The match between Sparta and Go Ahead had to be decided by a penalty shootout. The Eagles took the lead in the 32nd minute through Jakob Breum, after which Charles-Andreas Brym scored the equalizer on behalf of Sparta halfway through the second half.

Both teams failed to score in extra time. Go Ahead took all five penalties flawlessly and continued to convert after 18-year-old Ayoub Oufkir missed Sparta’s fifth penalty.