Young Ajax qualifies for Amstel Cup

26 May: By winning the final of the Amstel Cup for reserve teams, the Amstel Malt Cup, Young Ajax has again qualified for the first round of the real Amstel Cup. In an exciting final, the Ajax youngsters of coach John van 't Schip beat Young PSV on penalties (5-4) after the game remained deadlocked at 1-1 in regulation and extra time.
 
Ajax started the game with no less than six players from the first team. Bergdølmo, Stekelenburg, Akachar, Van Damme, Mendes and Boukhari played form the start on the tiny home ground of RBC Roosendaal, on which the final was played. It was Boukhari who had opened the scoring for the Amsterdammers, but PSV player Edno equalized in the second half. When no goals were scored in extra time, penalties were required to determine the winner. The Young Ajax players turned out to be the coolest in finishing from eleven meters.
 
By winning the cup final, Ajax reaches the Amstel Cup through the back door. They stood no chance in reaching it by winning the league for reserve teams.

In the previous two editions of the real Amstel Cup, Young Ajax has been very successful, reaching the round of sixteen this season and the semi-finals the year before. Contrary to previous years, next year's Amstel Cup won't start with group matches but will be played with a knock-out system straight from the beginning. (BV)
 
Source: Ajax Netwerk