The first return match was already scheduled this weekend. Strange, because we have not yet crossed swords with all opponents at the league level. Willem II/RKC therefore we meet spring 2014 twice within one month. But now JVOZ from Zeeland. The first match ended in a 2-0 victory for PSV. A difficult victory at the time in which deep into injury time the three points were secured.

Given the storm the past few days, we were curious about the conditions we would encounter in Flushing. And we soon saw this: a bumpy and slippery field was waiting for us. Fortunately, the wind had died down and it was dry.

Whether it was due to the reasons mentioned above or something else: it wasn't until the 19th minute that we had our first chance. A free kick by JVOZ went just wide. PSV seemed to be slowly getting into the game and twice in the 22nd and 25th minute they got through on the flanks after two good passes from captain Justin Lonwijk to Remco Evenepoel and Yasin Aalillou respectively. Both times, however, they failed to finish effectively.

This did happen in the 26th minute when James Fofana put striker Cody Gakpo free in front of the goalie with a wonderful pass. His ball from behind fell precisely over the central defender onto Cody's chest, who finished the ball coolly: 0-1.

A minute later, JVOZ almost took advantage of laxity in the Eindhoven defense. But fortunately the ball had crossed the back line just before. A few minutes before halftime, the Zeeland team was dangerous again. A player came through on the right side and his cross was just nipped away by goalkeeper Arne Lekens. The ball almost ended up in the hands of JVOZ's left winger, but fortunately Baggio Wallenburg was awake (which was a good thing because he was in the car to Eindhoven very early in the morning) to prevent further danger.

In the final minute, PSV again came dangerous in front of the goal. A corner by Davy van den Berg was headed at goal by Yasin Aalillou. The goalkeeper saved fabulously and tapped the ball just out of the goal mouth. This gave Justin the chance to head the ball towards goal. His effort was narrowly cleared off the line, allowing him another header on goal. This effort went just wide. Both teams went to rest with 0-1.

In the second half, as in the first, it took a long time for the game to get going. But once it did...... In the 45th minute, Leandro Fernandes was tapped in the goalmouth by the goalkeeper. And the referee pointed to the spot. Captain Justin Lonwijk got behind the ball, but his shot hit the foot of the JVOZ goalie. And PSV missed another penalty.

Three minutes later the ball was suddenly on the other side of the pitch. A minor foul by James Fofana was deemed serious enough by the referee to award JVOZ a penalty as well. And again the captain placed himself behind the ball. But just like several times earlier this season, Arne Lekens proved to be a true penalty-killer! He turned away the JVOZ effort and prevented the equalizer.

JVOZ tried to look for the equalizer in the closing stages and that gave PSV more space. Justin almost took full advantage of this when he got free in front of the goalie in the 57th minute after good work by Tijn Daverveld. But again the ball landed on an outstretched leg of the goalkeeper. It was certainly not the match for Justin because just before time another effort was cleared off the line.

In the last 2 minutes JVOZ became dangerous twice. First Arne saved a long distance shot with great style. He floated through the air like a seagull and plucked the ball before it would hit the goal.

In the very last minute a cross from the right was headed over by a JVOZ player after which the final whistle sounded.

PSV took all three points after a game that will not go down in history as an exciting one.


Arne Lekens; Baggio Wallenburg, James Fofana, Gaetan Bosiers, Jordan Teze (55' Koen Oostenbrink); Davy van den Berg, Leandro Fernandes, Justin Lonwijk (c); Yasin Aalillou, Cody Gakpo, Remco Evenepoel (45' Tijn Daverveld).