SV Spakenburg's KNVB Beker dream continues when they look to oust defending champions PSV Eindhoven in Tuesday's semi-final clash at Sportpark De Westmaat.
The third-tier club stunned Utrecht in the last round, defeating the Eredivisie outfit 4-1, while PSV picked up a comfortable 3-1 success against ADO Den Hag.
Match preview
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Spakenburg may not be pulling up trees in the Tweede Divisie, where they rank 10th after 27 games and are without a victory in four.
However, it is a different story for the middling Blues in the cup, where they have made it to the semis for the first time in the club's history.
The third-tier club made history by beating VV Katwijk in the round of 16 on penalties, thus taking them to their first-ever quarter-final game.
Chris de Graaf's team then surprisingly dispatched Utrecht with ease in February, thrashing them 4-1 as goals from Wimilio Vink, Luuk Admiraal, Masies Artien and Floris van der Linden saw Spakenburg eliminate the Eredivisie outfit away from home.
They could claim another scalp on Tuesday, although PSV are a different kettle of fish, and De Graf's fearless men will give everything to be in the final.
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Ruud van Nistelrooy's team are the undoubted favourites against a club not in their weight class looking to avoid leaving Sportpark De Westmaat with egg on their face.
Since losing to Ajax in February 2021, the Peasants have won eight successive games in the KNVB Beker and are chasing consecutive titles in the competition.
With Feyenoord eight points clear at the top of the Eredivisie before this weekend's round of games, PSV do not have their fate in their hands in the league.
Having been knocked out of Europe by Sevilla in the Europa League playoff round, domestic cup success could represent Nistelrooy and his team's best chance of silverware this season.
While a meeting with Eredivisie's leading side or Ajax awaits in the final, last year's cup winners have the easier path to the decider, even though they must not underrate the host team's giant-killing desire on Tuesday.
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Team News
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De Graf is unlikely to deviate from his tried and tested 4-3-3 in the competition's first semi-final.
Admiraal — who has netted 10 league goals for Spakenburg in the third tier — scored and assisted in the 4-1 hammering of Utrecht in the quarters, and the winger's end product will be pivotal in the Blues' quest for success.
Hero van Lopik is expected to continue in defensive midfield, with Mark Veenhoven absent since the start of March.
As for PSV, Nistelrooy should make some changes to the team that beat NEC Nijmegen on Saturday, although the favourites will remain competitive.
Fabio Silva could start after playing a minimal part in the 4-2 success, while Ibrahim Sangare should also return following his 25-minute Eredivisie appearance.
Walter Benitez and Mauro Junior have knee issues that are expected to keep them out of the semi-final.
Spakenburg possible starting lineup:
Damen; Verhagen, Werkman, Artien, Green; Vink, Van Lopik, Wesdorp; Admiraal, Van der Linden, Dekker
PSV Eindhoven possible starting lineup:
Drommel; Mwene, Ramalho, Branthwaite, Van Aanholt; Sangare, Veerman, Simons; Bakayoko, De Jong, Silva
We say: Spakenburg 1-3 PSV Eindhoven
Despite an unbelievable cup run for Spakenburg, PSV ought to have too much for the third-tier side, who do not match the Eredivisie title challengers for technical and match-winning quality.
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