Ajax beat AZ, reach Dutch Cup final

Alkmaar (Netherlands): Ajax qualified for the Dutch Cup final for the 24th time after beating title holders AZ Alkmaar 1-0 here.

Ajax defender Joel Veltman pulled the arm of AZ midfielder Viktor Elm in the 33rd minute after which Veltman was sent off with his second yellow card and AZ were rewarded with a penalty Thursday. Ajax goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer saved the visitors by stopping the penalty, reports Xinhua. Immediately after the break, AZ defender Mattias Johansson was also sent off with his second yellow after a foul on Lesley de Sa. AZ were punished because Lasse Schone placed the free-kick over the wall into the top corner. AZ hunted for the equalizer in the remaining time but found Vermeer on their way. Ajax will meet PEC Zwolle, which beat NEC 2-1 Wednesday, in the final April 20 in Rotterdam. So far Ajax has played 23 Cup finals of which the Amsterdam-based club won 18 times. PEC will play their third final after losing the final in 1928 and 1977.