With Sparta as our opponent today, we were up against a team with whom we still had a bone to pick. Earlier this season we lost 2-1 in Rotterdam. An opponent not to be underestimated. Which was also reflected in the rankings: with 3 more points lost than PSV, Sparta is "just" at the top.
Unfortunately the team of trainers Edwin de Wijs and Joonas Kolkka was seriously weakened. Captain Tom Scheepers was injured, Jaëll Hattu was ill and Matthias Verreth had to play with the Under 16 team. A great opportunity for others to make their mark.
After the first whistle, Sparta put early pressure. And this was soon successful. A free kick on our right side was thrown into the mouth of the goal where the Sparta striker won the header. However, his header hit the inside of the post. Keeper Mike van de Meulenhof was just able to push the ball off the goal line, but as a Spartan then reacted most alertly, Sparta was able to score the 0-1. This passed the Eindhoven rearguard for the first time in six league games.
After this quick goal Sparta remained the team that showed the best play. Sparta continued to show the best of the game, with quick changes of direction. PSV was sporadically dangerous in front of the Rotterdam goal. They did get in front of the Sparta goalie twice. But unfortunately the goal was not on target. Thus it remained 0-1 at halftime.
After the resumption, PSV soon had a great chance for the equalizer. After a fumble in the Sparta backline the ball ended up in Lennerd Daneels' hands. The ball went wide. After Mike again showed his capabilities by turning a fallen ball, which was shot in, into a corner, PSV swooned. The ball was cleared off the line.
PSV did not give up and rolled up their sleeves. In the 55th minute, a flowing attack over several drives was almost completed effectively. Joey Konings, however, hit the outside of the post. PSV continued to press. But Sparta lurked on the counter to extend their lead. Via some fast players they were constantly threatening. Especially when PSV started to play 1 on 1 at the back. Last man Kaan Tanriver was sent to the front as an extra soldier. And Kaan took his task as battering ram very seriously. On two occasions he thought he should be awarded a penalty. But his attempts to secure a penalty failed. Despite being accompanied by a lot of screaming a la Rambo. It's just that the Oscars were already handed out last week, otherwise he would certainly have been nominated!
But Kaan was going to star anyway. Because in the penultimate minute he tapped in the equalizer. Dante Rigo was allowed to take a free kick on the back line and deposited it at the first post. In a tangle of players, the Sparta goalkeeper let go of the ball. After which Kaan gave the final push. Kaan was immediately injured. A real protagonist knows when to leave the stage lol.
Because there had been quite a few injuries, the referee let the game continue for a long time. The final phase was tumultuous. For PSV smelled blood, and Sparta felt robbed because in their eyes the goalkeeper was attacked inside the goal area. Suddenly everything happened in a match that was very calm in the first 67 minutes. Even the unexpected happened: PSV scored another goal in the 8th minute (!!!) of injury time! A high, deep ball from Dante fell exactly between the 16-meter line, the outgoing Sparta goalkeeper and the passing Karim and Joey. The outgoing goalkeeper could not touch the ball with his hands with the risk of hands. And just at the right moment, Joey Konings put his crown against the ball. So that it went past the goalkeeper. A defender was unable to stop the ball before the line, making it 2-1! PSV almost let the win slip out of their hands. But luckily Mike saved again. Afterwards the victory was celebrated with big cheers on the Eindhoven side. For Sparta the grapes were sour. Leading 0-1 a minute before time, but still returning to Rotterdam empty handed. A big compliment to the team for how they finished the 2nd half! And to the 4 players from the C2 who participated today.
Mike van de Meulenhof; Ymanuel Hurkmans (52' Cody Gakpo), Roel van Linschoten, Kaan Tanriver (70' Baggio Wallenburg), Lassane Faye; Dante Rigo, Lennerd Daneels, Ertem Bölükbas (45' Armando Obispo); Amar Catic, Joey Konings, Karim Bannani.