Twente cup preparations disrupted

Douglas received a six-game suspension on Monday for bodychecking the match official and pushing an opposing player after being sent off during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at AZ Alkmaar. The Eredivisie champions, who lie second in the standings, are also sweating on the fitness of prolific striker Bryan Ruiz due to a thigh injury. With preparations for Wednesday night's semi-final having not gone smoothly for the Enschede club, who saw off league leaders PSV Eindhoven in the cup quarter-finals, their opponents may well fancy their chances tomorrow. Utrecht, who are unbeaten in 2011 and stunned title-chasing Ajax 3-0 in January, have lifted the KNVB Beker twice in the last decade and will be hoping to secure another final appearance at the expense of Michel Preud'homme's side. The second semi-final takes place on Thursday and will see holders Ajax take on second-tier RKC Waalwijk at the Amsterdam ArenA. The teams met at this stage of the competition back in 2006/07, with the Amsterdammers running out 3-1 winners. Ajax are in good form and will be confident of a similar result against their Eerste Divisie rivals. The aforementioned defeat to Utrecht is their only loss this year as they hang onto the coat-tails of PSV and Twente at the top of the Eredivisie. RKC have not faced any big-name opposition to reach this stage but will be hoping to pull off a massive upset against the 18-time cup winners.