Dutch Cup: Den Bosch 0 AZ Alkmaar 5

AZ Alkmaar have stormed into the Dutch Cup semi-finals with a 5-0 thrashing of nine-man Den Bosch at Stadion De Vliert on Tuesday.

The match was marred by a stoppage early in the second half, due to alleged racist abuse directed at AZ striker Jozy Altidore.

Despite playing three straight cup fixtures on the road, Gertjan Verbeek’s men made it a hat-trick of matches in the competition where they have scored four or more goals to progress to within 90 minutes of their first cup final since 2007.

AZ took the ascendancy early when Viktor Elm struck on five minutes, and the result was all but academic when Johann Gudmundsson struck 18 minutes later.

Two more goals either side of a red card to Den Bosch centre-back Jelle De Bock from Adam Maher and Altidore, the latter a penalty, rounded out the result inside 40 minutes.

Altidore has now scored in each of AZ’s three resounding wins in the competition this season.

Unfortunately, a second red card to the hosts – this time to left back Joey Brock on 51 minutes – was followed by a significant break in play, with the home fans allegedly at fault, with reports suggesting the chants began in the first half when the American stepped up to convert his spot kick.

But play managed to get back underway with Altidore remaining on the pitch, and AZ – playing against nine men – added to their lead as Maher got his second.