Amsterdam runs rampant against Oranje-Rood to reach final

Amsterdam's victory was completely deserved. Coach Rick Mathijssen's formation played with the instincts of a predator: waiting patiently, only to strike ruthlessly at the very moment the opponent was weakened. For Oranje-Rood, the season ends with a huge disappointment. Unbeaten in the regular league, but toothless when the team could qualify for the national title final for the first time in club history.

The second semi-final between Oranje-Rood and Amsterdam (outward match 2-2) started at a murderously fast pace. It was attractive to watch, but did not create much of a goal threat. A tactical chess game unfolded before the eyes of the few thousand spectators on Charles Roelslaan.

It was Amsterdam that came out of the dressing room the best, pushing the home team further and further back, especially after green cards for Oranje-Rood players Tijmen Reyenga and Arthur De Sloover. That pressure soon became too much for the Eindhoven players: within six (!) minutes, coach Rick Mathijssen's team struck three mercilessly.

First it was Dayaan Cassiem who hit the target on a pass from his brother Mustapha: 0-1. Then Boris Bukhardt tipped in on a David Huussen cross from a long corner, with the Eindhoven defence not paying attention. Two minutes later, Mustapha Cassiem put his stick against a drag flick by Burkhardt and the ball was behind Tomas Santiago for the third time.

The downpour that then fell from the Eindhoven sky completed the disaster for Oranje-Rood and the home crowd. Amsterdam had put the match in its hands in no time. And that damage was beyond repair for the home team, which had not lost a game in the regular league.

Coach Ageeth Boomgaardt brought goalkeeper Santiago to the side to try to force something, but that yielded a fourth Amsterdam goal, via Mustapha Cassiem again (0-4). In the final minute, Jelle Galema managed to score 1-4 from a rebound, but that goal was only of statistical value.