Feyenoord set up Utrecht date

Feyenoord beat AFC Ajax 1-0 tonight to set up a meeting with FC Utrecht in the final of the Dutch Cup.

Litmanen chance
Feyenoord started the game impressively, but it was Ajax who nearly took the lead when, midway through the first half, Jari Litmanen tried to lob Feyenoord goalkeeper Patrick Lodewijks, who saved brilliantly just under his crossbar.

Bosvelt goal
Both sides created chances in the second half. The most notable saw Feyenoord's Pierre van Hooijdonk go close with a header from a Paul Bosvelt cross. On 53 minutes the busy Bosvelt finally broke the deadlock after combining with Brett Emerton and shooting into the far corner of the net.

Ajax domination
Despite being just a week away from their crucial UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against AC Milan, Ajax coach Ronald Koeman threw on Zlatan Ibrahimovic in an effort to find an equaliser. Ajax dominated for the last half hour but could not find a goal, not even after Van Hooijdonk was sent off late on after a clash with Jelle van Damme.

Coaches' comments
After the game Feyenoord coach Bert van Marwijk said: "We beat great opponents. We started well especially in defence. We played very aggressively." Ajax coach Koeman emphasised that his side were more concerned with finishing second in the league and progressing in the Champions League than with success in the Dutch Cup. "We started poorly," he said. "And with all respect to Bosvelt he was given a free passage into our penalty area."

Utrecht book place
Utrecht booked their place in the final for the second year in succession after surprisingly beating Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven 2-1 on Tuesday. Utrecht outclassed PSV, who were hitherto unbeaten since 17 November, with a stunning first-half performance. After just 16 minutes Pascal Bosschaart fed Dave van den Bergh who headed the ball beyond PSV goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus to give Utrecht the lead.

Kezman consolation
After the break PSV pressurised the home side, but on the hour mark Belgian Stefan Tanghe doubled Utrecht's lead. Four minutes later Mateja Kezman pulled a goal back for PSV. Thereafter Dennis Rommedahl, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Kezman all came close to equalising, but a heroic performance from Utrecht goalkeeper Harald Wapenaar saw his side safely home.

Huge boost
The result was a huge boost for Utrecht, who are approximately €22m in debt as it ensured they will take part in next season's UEFA Cup. Last year Utrecht were beaten 3-2 by Ajax in the Dutch Cup final courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'golden' goal. This year's final will take place on 1 June in the Feijenoord stadium in Rotterdam.