January 25, 2014. Why this date? That was the last time PSV's C1 could be admired at their own Herdgang. Then the opponent was Willem II. Now it was the other topper in the Jupiler League who crossed swords with their C1 against PSV's C1.

The away match in Dordrecht was won relatively easily by PSV (result 1-5). And because both rival Sparta and Feyenoord lost the last two weeks, the race for the championship is completely open again. It is therefore important to keep the three points in Eindhoven today!

Conditions were fine. A lovely spring sun set the artificial turf in the necessary sunshine, a light breeze provided the coolness. Conditions to which some of the C1 players were already accustomed this week. A number of players were with the B-team last week to Qatar where a tournament was won.

Soon PSV strung together one chance after another. But Amar Catiç and Leandro Fernandes did not have their sights set yet. Amar was unlucky to hit the post after a smart free kick by Gaétan Bosiers.

The Eindhoven opening goal was inevitable. And it did come. In the 13th minute, it was Amar who hit the target after the ball stuck in the 16m and suddenly landed at his feet. A few minutes later Leandro almost doubled the lead. After a good and fluent attack he shot just past the wrong side of the post.

Dordrecht could hardly do anything against that. It only threatened from stationary situations or a counter. Once they came very close to an equalizer when a deep ball ended up between the Dordrecht forwards and goalkeeper Arne Lekens. But Arne got out of his goal well and was able to kick the ball out of the penalty area just in time.

Before halftime, PSV had another fine opportunity. Striker Cody Gakpo played himself free and passed the ball hard to Justin Lonwijk, who unfortunately was prevented from scoring by the firm action of a defender.

At halftime the score was 1-0, which was not a good reflection of the match.

Because many players were in Qatar until Thursday this week, they did not celebrate carnival. But today it seemed as if the team was playing with a mask on anyway. Because the game had two completely different faces.

Where the first half could/should have easily been 4-0, the PSV engine stalled in the 2nd half. The game was restless, the choices were unfortunate and little worked. Dordrecht sensed this perfectly and went one step further.

They were lucky to get the equalizer in the 46th minute due to poor defense by PSV. It was really symptomatic of PSV's play in this second half.

Dordrecht came through dangerously several more times and PSV was lucky that Arne made a fine save just after the equalizer.

And PSV? After a chance for Leandro in the first minute of the second half, it had to wait until the 50th minute until it got a chance. Through the "pinball" Justin got the ball at his feet. But his effort did not hit the target.

Just before time, Dordrecht almost took the lead. A free kick by the captain hit the bar.

PSV lost 2 expensive points in the race for the championship. And perhaps they could be happy with that one point. On the other hand, they should not have put themselves in this situation by deciding the game in the first half.

Really a game with two totally different halves as you see very rarely these days.


Arne Lekens; Baggio Wallenburg, Koen Oostenbrink, Lars Dickens, Jordan Teze; Gaétan Bosiers (54' Yasin Aalillou), Leandro Fernandes, Justin Lonwijk (c); Amar Catiç, Cody Gakpo, Gregory Kuisch (54' Remco Evenepoel).

Yellow card: Lars Dickens (dangerous play) and Yasin Aalillou (bringing down opponent illegally)