After last Wednesday's spectacular victories over Ajax (1-0), Feijenoord (3-1) and Willem II (3-1), would our boys still have enough football in their legs to beat one of the better teams in the spring league?
One thing was certain. PSV was facing an opponent that, according to the books, could offer real opposition. This was quickly evident at the start of the match, as the first five minutes played out in midfield. Both teams were no match for each other. Attempts to attack were stopped just over the center line and the duels were fierce. Even Nuenen's goalkeeper, more than a head taller than our Merijn, was of the same caliber as his fellow players: big, attentive and fierce.
Yet the first attempt was by PSV. Cody broke through but launched the ball into the side netting. Luc had more luck shortly thereafter when he shot the ball hard, on Jordan's pass. This gave PSV their "long-awaited" lead in the seventh minute.
The bear is loose, people thought. The crowd saw the 0-2 already rolling in when Cody passed two players and the goalkeeper. But Nuenen's last man just barely cleared the ball off the line. The game shifted more to the attacking areas and defenders James, Bjorn and Jordan had a leading role. In the first half they made sure that the opponent could not even attempt a single goal. Merijn stood well and only had some rolling balls and return balls to deal with.
The PSV attack continued undaunted in their fight for the second goal. Robin shot a high lob from distance then over the keeper, but also over the goal. James' beautiful cross pass to Cody was taken too far by the wind. Ruud created even more danger in the attacking area with a fine effort, but he too saw his goal attempts go over and wide. A nice combination by Robin and Ruud ended up in the hands of the ever attentive goalkeeper. Even when Luc reacted attentively to a return ball from the defense, the goalkeeper caught the ball, albeit at second attempt.
The second half seems to be going to match the first. Robin, sharply pointed at by Baggio, shoots wide, Ruud shoots into the goalkeeper's hands and Cody launches the ball just over the goal from a scrimmage. Then Armando makes a nice pass to Björn, who shoots from distance with his left and scores the liberating 0-2.
This gave a little more peace of mind because the opposing team's attackers were also getting closer to a goal. Armando interrupted a Nuenen breakthrough by tapping the ball away with a slide and James handled many a corner to the PSV side of the pitch. And then there was always our canny Merijn who played a very good game. Several times he came out well to intercept counters. Other times he positioned well and blocked distance shots.
By now our boys had understood that not only Nuenen was their opponent but also the wind. Play was the motto. The combinations were endless: Cody to Jordan, Ruud to Baggio, Cody to Björn. But it still took until well into the second half before the third goal fell. Armando passed from the center line to Jordan, who crossed to Ruud who then lashed out hard with the right and scored the long-awaited third goal for PSV. Finally, is the sigh along the sideline.
Shortly after, the referee whistles for the end of the match. The wind also played along today, but PSV took the deserved three points.

Report with thanks to Ank Gakpo-van Bommel