Ajax will have ‘even more motivation for Spurs,’ says De Ligt after winning KNVB Cup
The Dutch side picked up their first trophy for five years ahead of Wednesday's finely poised Champions League second-leg with Tottenham in Amsterdam
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AJAX warmed up for their Champions League return leg with Tottenham by winning the KNVB Cup.
The Eredivisie leaders brushed aside Willem II 4-0 at Feyenoord's De Kuip Stadium.
Ajax are 1-0 up from the first leg in North London and go into Wednesday’s return game full of confidence, having sealed their first trophy for five years.
Ex-Manchester United defender Daley Blind opened the scoring on 38 minutes.
Experienced striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar bagged a double to make it 17 goals for the season and Rasmus Nissen added the fourth on 76 minutes.
And 19-year-old captain Matthijs de Ligt is hopeful it is not the last time he lifts silverware this month.
He told Fox Sports: “We won the first possible trophy.
“This win will give us even more motivation for the game vs Tottenham.”
Huntelaar who has played second fiddle to top scorer Dusan Tadic insists the club have a real taste for winning trophies again.
The 35-year-old said: “It’s beautiful to finally win a trophy again, but we want to win more.
“I think I will drink a small beer on this one though.”
Manager Erik ten Hag has been in the job 18 months and is delighted to win his first trophy at the club.
He said: “This team is very happy but they want more. That’s what all the players say as well. After winning this trophy we are even more hungry.”
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And Blind, who was shown the door at Old Trafford by Jose Mourinho last summer is loving life back at Ajax and is enjoying playing alongside the highly-rated De Ligt.
The defender said: “This team is fantastic. We have a very good team-spirit both on and off the pitch.
“I came back to Ajax for this. I also really enjoy playing along-side De Ligt."
