THE HAGUE, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fourth-tier Hercules pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Dutch Cup by beating Ajax 3-2 in the second round on Thursday night in Utrecht.
While Ajax are having a bad season, currently ranking only fifth in the Eredivisie, few thought the Amsterdam outfit would have any problems dealing with Hercules.
However, in front of 5,000 spectators in FC Utrecht's Galgenwaard stadium, the amateurs outclassed a lackluster Ajax team. Striker Tim Pieters put Hercules in front in the first half and smashed home the second in the 66th minute.
Ajax's Brian Brobbey narrowed the margin in the 83rd minute, and five minutes later, Chuba Akpom equalized from close range.
It seemed that Ajax might steal a win, but in injury time, Hercules substitute Mats Grotenbreg scored to send the fans into raptures.
For Ajax, it was their first ever defeat to an amateur club in the Dutch Cup. ■
