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Tim Krul was the hero for AZ Alkmaar as he saved the decisive penalty in a shoot-out to book his side a place in the Dutch Cup final.

Krul is on loan at Alkmaar until the end of the season after a move to Ajax was called short in January.

He had originally been expected to earn game time with Ajax until the end of the season.

However, despite leaving the Dutch giants he could still end up with a winners medal after reaching the KNVB Cup final following a semi-final win over Cambuur.

Having made a couple of key saves during 120 minutes of goal-less action Krul went on to keep out Martijn Barto to send his side through in a 3-2 win on spot-kicks.

Krul - who had been the national hero in his country after keeping out two penalties for Holland against Costa Rica in the 2014 World Cup - has now played seven games for Alkmaar after recovering from a knee injury in October 2015.

The 28-year-old can now look forward to the final which takes place against Vitesse Arnhem at the iconic De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam on April 30.

Krul is expected to return to Newcastle in July for pre-season training.