Dutch Cup wrap: AZ, Heracles into last four

AZ Alkmaar and Heracles both progressed to the semi-finals of the Dutch Cup on Wednesday.

AZ booked their spot in the last four with a 2-1 win over third-tier outfit GVVV, although they were made to work for their victory.

Dennis van Meegdenburg handed the underdogs the lead after just 10 minutes, stunning the AFAS Stadion crowd.

With AZ sitting third in the Eredivisie, just two points behind table-toppers PSV, an easy win was expected for Gert Verbeek’s side and they responded well with a quick equaliser.

That goal came from Belgian Maarten Martens and he was to have a telling impact on the game, also scoring the winning goal after 66 minutes.

That did not stop AZ suffering some nervy moments at the end, but they held firm to seal a semi-final berth.

Heracles won far easier, cruising past fellow top-flight side RKC Waalwijk 3-0 in Almelo.

Sweden’s Samuel Armenteros and Ghanaian Kwame Quansah scored in the first-half for the winners before Marko Vejinovic wrapped up the win with his 58th minute goal.

Heerenveen had already progressed to the last four on Tuesday, while PSV while take on NEC Nijmegen for the last semi-final spot on Thursday.