The84th edition of theKNVB Cup (at the time calledAmstel Cup) was the 84th edition of theDutch nationalfootball annual knockout tournament for theKNVB Cup. 86 teams contested, beginning on 4 August 2001 and ending at the final on 12 May 2002.[1][2]
Ajax beatUtrecht 3–2[3] and received the cup for the fifteenth time.
All 18 participants of theEredivisie 2001-02: six teams entered in the round of 16 of the knock-out stage; two in the first round of the knock-out stage and the rest in the group stage.
The matches of the group stage were played between August 4 and 22 2001. 78 teams played a total of 114 matches, 38 teams progressed to the next round.
The matches of the first round were played on 18-20 September 2001.sc Heerenveen andRKC Waalwijk entered the tournament this round. During the group stage, they were still active in theIntertoto Cup.
The matches of the round of 16 were played on 11-12 December 2001. The six Eredivisie teams that had been playing in European competitions after qualificationlast season, entered the tournament this round.
Ajax was granted a life line by a late offside goal by Wamberto sending the game into extra time, the linesman later admitting the mistake saying he had a black out. Ajax also won the DutchEredivisie championship, thereby takingthe double. They would participate in theChampions League, so finalists FC Utrecht could play in theUEFA Cup.