O15 does not reach usual level

PSV O15 stayed in Georgia from October 4 to 11 where it participated with great success in the first edition of the Ajara Cup. Apart from winning the final against Valencia (2-0), the team also took four individual prizes back to the Netherlands. A class performance in other words! The consequence of this participation was that it fell two games behind in the competition. Most teams already played six games, like today's opponent, Sparta Rotterdam. In those, Sparta gained five points and was one place and one point above PSV. The latter still has two games to catch up.

The start was not as PSV envisioned. Already after a minute Bart Hamers could fish after a free kick from the edge of the sixteen was shot in: 1-0. PSV was immediately behind. And played not only against Sparta, but also against themselves. Very slowly in the first half they managed to get back on their feet. Julian Kwaaitaal outsmarted the goalkeeper once, but could not find the goal from a difficult angle. Halfway through the first half, PSV swooned when the ball came back into the field via the inside of the post and Sparta was able to shoot at goal several times in the rebound. But partly due to strong defending from Renzo Tytens, Sparta did not score. After the Sparta goalkeeper twice narrowly turned away a free kick by Jason van Duiven, he was defenseless on a shot by Jason in the 29th minute. Jason shot the ball from outside the penalty area into the top left corner: 1-1. Just before half time PSV had two more chances to take the lead. But first Onesime Zimuangana headed the ball over after a good cross from Emir Bars. And also Tijn Vergeldt could shoot once, but saw his shot cracked in a forest of Sparta legs.

The second half was particularly messy. PSV did not create any chances and Sparta lurked on the counter. And was successful in the 50th minute, putting PSV behind for the second time. But this time it could not come alongside. In the second half it did not even shoot a single shot between the posts. And then you know for sure that you don't score.

A deserved defeat, therefore, by a weak, inspiionless PSV that has been put hard back on its feet after the splendid result in Georgia.

Setup:
Bart Hamers; Bram Rovers, Brian van den Boogaard (52/ Reda El Meliani), Joëll Gill'ard, Renzo Tytens; Tijn Vergeldt (67/ Emir Bars), Tim van den Heuvel (62/ Merijn van de Wiel), Emir Bars (49/ Arthur Piedfort); Onesime Zimuangana, Jason van Duiven (c), Julian Kwaaitaal.

Yellow card: Bram Rovers