In their fourth game under interim manager Leeroy Echteld, four-time KNVB Beker winners AZ faced FC Twente in the Alkmaar side's 13th quarterfinal in 15 years. Echteld was given a boost with the return of goalkeeper Rome-Jayden Owusu-Oduro, who replaced Jeroen Zoet in goal after last weekend's 3-1 home loss to NEC.
The cup fighters opened the match in blazing form via Matej Sin, who opened the scoring in the ninth minute after finishing a chance created by Kasper Boogaard and Troy Parrott.
FC Twente came to life after AZ's opening goal and got close to levelling the score via Kristian Hlynsson, who couldn't beat Owusu-Oduro in a one-on-one.
The young goalkeeper saved AZ twice more in the opening half, with a shot from Sam Lammers and a header from Stav Lemkin not enough to beat Owusu-Oduro.
After the break, Twente stopper Lars Unnerstall became his team's saviour by pulling out an incredible save to keep Ibrahim Sadiq from doubling AZ's lead.
A wonderful attack by FC Twente got the Tukkers back in the race - Sondre Orjasaeter flashed down the left and delivered a perfect cross to Hlynsson, who headed the ball in at the back post to level the score after 65 minutes.
A cagey twenty minutes followed, but Twente got one more shot at coming away with a late win through Max Bruns, who had his header in the 88th minute saved by Owusu-Oduro.
Extra time was needed to determine a winner, and after two quick shots, Irish hero Troy Parrott got AZ in front with a third attempt in the 97th minute, putting the hosts on the front foot with 23 minutes remaining.
That's when FC Twente fully opened fire and tested Owusu-Oduro intensely. Daouda Weidmann, Marko Pjaca and Bruns all tried to beat the Dutch Under-21 international, to no avail.
The biggest chance at getting back alongside AZ was given to FC Twente in the 116th minute, when the post and an acrobatic save from Owusu-Oduro saved the hosts from late heartbreak. AZ were saved late again when Penetra saved a shot off the line after Owusu-Oduro dropped a cross, but the goalkeeper redeemed himself with an excellent save on a second attempt from Marko Pjaca.
For the second time in a row, AZ made the semifinals of the KNVB Beker, courtesy of the team's second win under Echteld. FC Twente, meanwhile, are left ot rue a missed opportunity after collecting an xG of 4.49 from 36 attempts.
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