21 Apr 2014

All White scores two in Dutch Cup win over Ajax

3:13 pm on 21 April 2014

The All Whites football international Ryan Thomas scored twice as his PEC Zwolle club secured a sensational 5-1 upset triumph over hot favourites Ajax Amsterdam, in a drama-filled Dutch Cup final in Rotterdam.

The match was twice halted after fans threw fireworks on to the pitch, as Zwolle won their first-ever trophy, the provincial side denying Ajax the chance of doing the league and cup double.

Play was halted after a late start due to the fireworks, and the players were taken off by the officials with Ajax club director Edwin van der Sar, the Manchester United legend, taking to the public address system to appeal for reason.

Within three minutes of the resumption, New Zealand teenager Thomas equalised and four minutes later put his side ahead, converting a rebounded free kick that came off the woodwork.

Thomas missed out on a hat-trick with a close-in header.

PEC had twice lost in the Dutch Cup final in 1928 and 1977 while Ajax were looking to extend their record number of wins in the competition to 19.

They are still odds-on to claim the league title, needing one point from their last two games.