KNVB Beker wrap: AZ, PSV reach final

Jozy Altidore’s double has seen AZ Alkmaar stun Ajax to set up a clash with PSV Eindhoven in the KNVB Beker final.

Jozy Altidore’s double has seen AZ Alkmaar stun Ajax to set up a clash with PSV Eindhoven in the KNVB Beker final.

In a dramatic conclusion to the match in Amsterdam, Altidore scored twice in the last 16 minutes to help AZ to a 3-0 win over Ajax in their semi-final on Wednesday.

Altidore took advantage of Adam Maher’s good work to score his side’s first goal in the 74th minute before the American striker set up Johann Berg Gudmundsson to double the advantage with two minutes remaining.

And Altidore finished off his fine outing with his third goal during injury time as AZ, 13th in the Eredivisie, proved too good for second-placed Ajax to set up a date with PSV Eindhoven in the final on May 9.

PSV had little trouble in their clash with newly promoted club PEC Zwolle, as Juergen Locadia struck a hat-trick in the 3-0 win.

Normally a substitute for PSV, Locadia was promoted to the starting line-up for this match after Tim Matavz fell ill and he responded in fine style with his second treble for the club.

Locadia opened the scoring with a close-range finish in the 16th minute before the impressive Georginio Wijnaldum set up Locadia’s second just after the half hour.

The speedy striker sealed his hat-trick five minutes from time as he burst past the Zwolle defence to nail his third and send PSV into the final.