After a couple of weekends without league football (winter break, winter weather) it was finally time again today: we were back in the (artificial) field! For the real thing. Today's opponent was VVV/Helmond Sport C1. Coincidentally also the team we played against in the last round in 2012. And where we took 3 points without any problems. Points that we desperately need to keep some pressure on leader Feyenoord. With the team trailing by 8 points, trainers Edwin de Wijs and Joonas Kolkka cannot afford to lose any more points to claim the lead.
The match started under a, at times, strong wind and thin sunshine. The opening phase was very messy from both sides. It was not until the 17th minute that anything could be noted. Lennerd Daneels took a shot at the Venlo goalkeeper, who barely managed to save. After Cody Gakpo missed an opportunity, PSV took the lead in the 21st minute. After losing the ball in the Venlo half, VVV thought they could create some danger on the counter. At full risk, right back Roel van Linschoten made a hard tackle inside the own 16 meters, perfectly on the ball and thus undid the possible danger. In fact, he played the ball perfectly into Joey Konings, who advanced from his own half. Hardly anyone obstructed his way forward, so he soon found himself in front of the Venlo goal. With a flaming shot from 18 meters, he fired the ball into the right corner. Great goal, thanks to excellent defensive work by Roel. Not much later, Joey had another shot from distance. This time the bar was in the way of a PSV goal. Just before half time there were two more precarious situations in front of the Eindhoven goal, but no more goals were scored.
The second half was possibly even flatter than the first. Not much happened. PSV was the ball with lots of possession. VVV lurked on the counter and long ball. There was a flowing PSV attack, where the ball was played in one go over several drives. However, the final pass was just not accurate so it did not lead to an opportunity. VVV had two more chances in the closing stages but were sloppy with them. And after Karim Bannani headed just over from a Dante Rigo corner just before time, it was the same Karim who scored the 2-0 in the final minute. And how! He received the ball and from about 20 meters, right in front of the goal, he curled the ball fabulously into the right cross! What a wonderful goal! The referee immediately whistled for the end and the three points were in the pocket.


Mike van de Meulenhof; Roel van Linschoten, Kaan Tanriver, Tom Scheepers (c), Lassana Faye (46' Ertem Bölükbas); Dante Rigo, Lennerd Daneels, Jaëll Hattu (50' Robin Schoonbrood); Joey Konings, Cody Gakpo, Karim Bannani.