AMSTERDAM – Jozy Altidore and Eredivisie leaders AZ Alkmaar were ousted from the KNVB Cup on Thursday night, suffering a 4-2 collapse to semifinal visitors Heracles Almelo.
The US striker misfired on a pair of good chances during his 45 minutes of action. Altidore departed with AZ up 2-1, but a corner kick header from unmarked Heracles ace Kwame Quansah in the 66th minute sent the game to extras.
In the second overtime session, Thomas Bruns and Ninos Gouriye capitalized on AZ turnovers in their own end to earn Heracles – currently 12th in the league table – their first ever trip to the KNVB Cup final. The home defeat was AZ's first in more than 13 months, a span of 26 unbeaten competitive matches.
