Finally the bride? NEC Nijmegen end Cambuur’s cup final dream to make fourth KNVB Cup final

Despite going down 1-0 after 24 minutes away to second division Cambuur, NEC Nijmegen staged a comeback to make their fifth KNVB Cup Final. On the four previous occasions they have ended up as the bridesmaids, but could 2024 be the year they finally become the bride?

They were grateful to Koki Ogawa who got them level after the hour mark. The sides could not be separated after the 90 minutes, with extra-time being required. Kodai Sano grabbed the decisive goal with 99 minutes on the clock to send the Eredivisie side through and break the hearts of the second tier side. Feyenoord face their own second tier side in Groningen on Thursday night, meaning that the Dutch second tier still has a chance of some representation in the final.

In the previous round Cambuur had beaten Eredivisie side Vitesse 3-1 to make the semi-finals. They still remain in with a chance of promotion from the Eerste Divisie, sitting eight and thus in a play-off spot.

NEC Nijmegen made the semi-final after a 3-0 win over Ado Den Haag, following up on a 2-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles in the round prior. Their last cup final was in 2000. After beating AZ in the semi-final they lost the final to Roda JC who won their second cup trophy.