Four wins, four defeats: AZ Alkmaar looking for first piece of silverware since 2013 | OneFootball

AZ Alkmaar return to the cup final on Sunday with unfinished business. The side made it to the final last season, only to lose in dramatic fashion to Go Ahead Eagles. This time, its surprise package NEC Nijmegen who stand in their way. Since winning the cup in 2013, AZ have been the perennial bridesmaids in the competition. They have played in eight finals in their history, winning four and losing four. Something will have to give either way on Sunday.

The first cup final that AZ Alkmaar made was back in 1977/1978. That was the 60th edition of the KNVB Cup and back then, the side were known as AZ67 following a merger between Alkmaar 54 and FC Zanstreek. Just a decade after the merger and the club had its first trophy. After beating Excelsior in the semi-finals, AZ Alkmaar faced off against Ajax in the final. The game was decided by a single goal from Henk van Rijnsoever just before the hour mark. Van Rijnsoever was a one club man, spending his entire career with the club.

The late 1970s and early 1980s were the high point of AZs history. The side won their first Eredivisie title during the 1980/81 season, making it a domestic double by winning the cup that same season. Once again, the opponents were Ajax. Pier Tol, Ronald Spelbos and Kristen Nygaard scored the goals as AZ beat Ajax in Amsterdam.

AZ defended their cup crown the following season in a rare two legged final. They lost the first leg to Utrecht but responded in imperious fashion, hammering their opponents 5-1 at home. Pier Tol scored in a cup final once again, this time helping himself to a hat-trick.

AZ would not return to the cup final until 2006/2007. Just a year after finishing runners up in the Eredivisie, the side had a chance for silverware as they faced Ajax once again in a cup final. The side from Amsterdam finally got their revenge with a win on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

In 2013, the side faced PSV in the cup final, this time having seen off Ajax earlier on in the semi-finals. Former Sunderland striker Jozy Altidore scored just minutes after Adam Maher had given AZ the lead. PSV pulled one back before half-time, but AZ held on for their fourth cup win.

Since then, the side have been to three finals, losing them all. Like this year, the side made back to back finals in 2017 and 2018. During the first, they lost 2-0 to Vitesse, and in the second they lost 3-0 to Feyenoord.

Last season, AZ were leading until the very last minute. Troy Parrott had given them the lead from the spot, only for Mats Deijl to convert a 99th minute penalty to send the game into extra-time. In the end, it was a penalty shoot out that decided the outcome, with the Eagles winning 4-2.

AZ will return to De Kuip to compete in their ninth final on Sunday. The side will be hoping not to repeat their previous results in back to back finals. AZ will be looking to Troy Parrott to help, with his performances in big games for club and country giving the fans some confidence that he could be the difference maker. The Irish international has scored 29 goals in 44 gams this season. Sven Mijnans will be equally important if AZ want to win Cup number five. The 26-year-old midfielder leads the side with eight assists in 45 games this season. Mijnans has also chipped in with 19 goals.

Remarkably, AZ are going into the cup final with an interim head coach in charge. Maarten Martens was sacked earlier in the season and has not been permanently replaced. Leeroy Echteld will lead AZ into the final, having stepped up from Jong AZ to replace Martens temporarily in January.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson