KNVB Beker

AZ Alkmaar faces Telstar in a highly anticipated KNVB Beker semi-final at the AFAS Stadion. AZ enters as the clear favorite, having recently humiliated Ajax 6-0 in the previous round.

Although they lost 2-0 to Utrecht in their last league outing, their cup form is terrifying; they average 3.3 goals per game in this competition. Troy Parrott leads the line for a side that has scored at least one goal in 19 of their last 20 home fixtures.

Telstar arrives as the tournament’s “Cinderella” story. The second-division side has knocked out four opponents to reach this stage, including the current trophy holders, Go Ahead Eagles.

They recently thrashed NAC Breda 3-0, proving they can compete with Eredivisie-level talent. However, the gap in quality is substantial.

AZ has won all seven of their previous encounters with Telstar, scoring 19 goals and conceding only once in that span. Telstar must play a perfect defensive game to survive AZ’s high-octane attack, which typically scores multiple goals in the second half of cup ties.