All Whites attacking midfielder Ryan Thomas is into the Dutch Cup final after his club side PEC Zwolle were 2-1 winners over fellow Eredivisie team NEC Nijmengen in the competition semifinals yesterday.
Thomas, who hails from Te Puke and went to Tauranga Boys' College, started the match in front ofhis club's home fans at the FC Zwolle Stadion, playing 73 minutes as his side secured their final berth with an 81st minute strike from Maikel Van der Werff after the two teams were locked at 1-1 at halftime.
Zwolle will face either Eredivisie leaders Ajax or 2013 cup winners AZ Alkmaar who meet in the other semifinal on Friday (NZ time).
Should Ajax win through, Zwolle could earn a place in the Uefa Europa League by qualifying for the Dutch Cup Final with Ajax in pole position for a berth in the Uefa Champions League as Eredivisie champions.
