PSV beat KRC Genk 0-2

16 juli 2012 09:00

beat KRC Genk 0-2 in a pre-season friendly in Belgium, thanks to goals on either side of the break by Marcelo and Dries Mertens. The Euro 2012 internationals returned to action and played the first 45 minutes. The pre-season training for PSV will enter its third week on Monday.

Genk coach Mario Been is having a chat with PSV head coach Dick Advocaat before the game.

First-half goal by Marcelo

PSV head coach Dick Advocaat included the Euro 2012 internationals in his starting line-up at the Cristal Arena. Mark van Bommel, who was back in PSV colours for the first time since he left PSV for Barcelona in 2005, wore the captain’s armband on his return. Strootman, Willems, Bouma and Tyton were also handed a start against KRC Genk, who finished the 2011/12 season in Belgium in third place. After Matavz had threatened the Genk goal with a header and Strootman had forced goalkeeper Grzegorz into a good save, Marcelo gave PSV the lead on the half-hour mark, heading home from a corner. Mario Been was forced to take off keeper Grzegorz in the 33rd minute and Köteles came off the bench to replace him. Striker Benteke had the best chance for the home side in the first half.

Kevin Strootman was included in PSV´s starting line-up.

Seven second-half changes

Advocaat made seven changes at half-time, taking off the Euro 2012 internationals and bringing on, among other players, Zanka and youngster Van Ooijen. Dries Mertens doubled PSV´s lead after 58 minutes with a sweetly-struck free kick. PSV were never threatened and fully dominated the game. With fifteen minutes remaining, Locadia came on for Lens as neither team managed to score a goal in the closing stages.

Georginio Wijnaldum attempts to evade a sliding tackle in the Cristal Arena.

Match statistics:

PSV line-up (first-half): Tyton, Bouma, Marcelo, Van Bommel, Strootman, Matavz, Wijnaldum, Lens, Hutchinson, Mertens, Willems.
PSV line-up (second half): Waterman, Manolev, Zanka, Derijck, Hutchinson, Van Ooijen, Ritzmaier, Wijnaldum, Depay, Lens (75. Locadia), Mertens.

Goals: (31) Marcelo 0-1, (58) Mertens 0-2
Booked: Ngcongca, Limbombe (Genk)

Next match: Wednesday July, 18: FC Eindhoven v PSV (kick-off at 19.00 )

Mark van Bommel, back in PSV colours for the first time since he left PSV for Barcelona in 2005.

Van Bommel wore the captain’s armband in Belgium.