While AZ were aiming to reach their ninth KNVB Beker final, minnows Telstar fought for the first Dutch Cup final in club history, adding to a historic year after sensationally clinching promotion to the Eredivisie last season.
After yesterday's wild ride in the first semifinal between NEC and PSV, AZ and Telstar kept it tame in the first half. The two sides exchanged minor chances before Sven Mijnans fired the ball over Ronald Koeman's goal from close range with the first big chance of the evening.
Telstar centre-half Guus Offerhaus nearly shocked the AFAS Stadion with a goal from a free-kick, but his low effort just rolled past Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro's goal as the first half came to a goalless end.
That's when AZ piled up the pressure and took an early lead in the second through Telstar captain Danny Bakker, who deflected the ball into his own net just two minutes after the break.
Another own goal saw AZ double the lead in the 51st minute, when a corner was deflected and flew into the air, after which Koeman was impeded inside his own six-yard box, and Neville Ogidi-Nwankwo had the misfortune of ricocheting the ball just past the goal line.
Telstar took more initiative following the 2-0, and after an earlier chance for Nokki Thorisson, Kay Tejan got the visitors back within one after a lucky break with two AZ players tackling the ball towards Tejan, who had his shot deflected over Owusu-Oduro.
The visitors from Velsen-Zuid saw their hopes of a maiden cup final berth dwindle in the final minutes as fewer and fewer chances were being created, with AZ locking it down at the back.
A first Dutch Cup final wasn't to be for Telstar, who were beaten 2-1 by AZ in Alkmaar, courtesy of two own goals.
Five-time winners AZ will play in the KNVB Beker final on Sunday, April 19th, against NEC Nijmegen.
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