Feyenoord unsuccessfully defended its 2008 title losing in the fourth round stage in January 2009 to Heerenveen, 0–3, in Rotterdam.
Heerenveen would successfully pursue its 2009 title on 17 May 2009 defeated Twente, 2–2 (aet), in De Kuip stadium, Rotterdam.
[1] This Cup marked the third time in its history the absence of the Big Three teams from the quarter-finals onward of the tournament last occurring 27 years.
The first and second round draw was made on July 8, 2008 in Zeist,[2] KNVB headquarters.
24 of the Hoofdklasse clubs qualified for the competition through their league performance during the previous season (top 4 of each Hoofdklasse), while the other half of the teams competing in the First Round secured their place through the 2007–08 KNVB District Cups.