In Pictures

Gallery

In Pictures: Dutch Cup final fireworks

PEC Zwolle’s sensational 5-1 upset triumph over hot favourites Ajax is stopped twice due to fan trouble and flares.

There was an electric atmostphere before the game at the Kuip stadium in Rotterdam with both sides(***) fans turning up in force.
Published On 21 Apr 2014

Save

PEC Zwolle came back from conceding an early goal to secure a sensational 5-1 upset triumph over hot favourites Ajax Amsterdam in a drama-filled Dutch Cup final in Rotterdam which was twice halted after fans threw a fireworks on to the pitch.

Ryan Thomas and Guyon Fernandez scored twice each in a shock first-ever trophy win for the provincial side, denying Ajax the chance of doing the league and cup double.

The game was stopped just after the start for an half hour as fireworks and smoke bombs damaged the pitch and set an
advertising board alight.

Police said 19 people were arrested before the kick-off for carrying fireworks and insulting behaviour.

The match was the first time Ajax fans have been at the Kuip stadium in five years. They have been banned from away matches against Rotterdam club Feyenoord because of crowd trouble.
Advertisement
Ricardo van Rhijn put Dutch champions Ajax into a third-minute lead, but moments later the game was suspended with fireworks and smoke bombs damaging the pitch and setting an advertising sign on fire.
The game was stopped for a much longer second time, after more objects were thrown on to the pitch by Ajax fans.
The players were taken off the pitch and Ajax coach Frank de Boer and former goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, now the club(***)s chief marketing officer, both pleaded with fans to stop.
Police said 19 people were arrested before kick-off for carrying fireworks and insulting behaviour, but it did not stop an avalanche of projectiles being thrown on to the field.
Teenager Ryan Thomas(***)s second goal put PEC Zwolle 2-1 ahead and sent their fans into party mode.
Advertisement
At the final whistle there was a mixture of joy and disbelief for the PEC Zwolle fans who were the heavy underdogs coming into the match.
It is the first major trophy in the history of Zwolle, who were only promoted from the second tier in 2012.
Nicolai Boilesen is left distraught after pre-match favourites Ajax are soundly beaten.