FC Utrecht 'belittles' PSV

With only four players from the squad, including two goalkeepers, the O16 boarded the bus on Saturday for the away match against FC Utrecht. The rest of the squad was forced to hand over to the O17, where there seems to be no end to injury despite the few weeks of vacation. O16 in turn had to shop around in the O15 selection, and even brought along two O14 players.

Although the match was obviously approached seriously, despite PSV certainly not being played off the mat, it became a battle between David and Goliath. Partly due to early substitutions of their only two fit players, PSV had players from 2005 and 2004 in almost all positions facing an opponent from 2003. Although this looked droll at times, particular credit must be given to the O14 and O15 boys that the damage was eventually limited to 2-0. Despite the uneven physical battle, PSV managed to become dangerous at several moments. A few minutes after Utrecht made it 1-0 after a quick attack set up by the goalkeeper, in which a cross from the right was slipped in at the far post, Naïm had a great chance for the equalizer. Instead of picking a corner, he headed a cross straight through the middle into the goalkeeper's hands. Utrecht then made it 2-0 before halftime after another flanking move, with the cross being tapped in at the far post.

In the second half Utrecht had a number of opportunities to extend the score, but were sloppy with the chances and found goalkeeper Rick in his way a number of times who managed to distinguish himself with some fine saves. Ten minutes before the end, 14-year-old Khaled almost made his debut among 16-year-olds with a fine move when he was put in front of the goal by Milan and lifted the ball over the outflowing goalkeeper, but saw it go just wide.

O16 has no league schedule next week.

Setup
Rick Jonkers, Seb Loeffen (56/Julian Kuijpers), Milan Govaers, Koen Jansen, Deveron Fonville, Dyon Dorenbosch (15/Joep Kluskens), (41/Khaled Razak), Naïm Matoug, Chahid el Allachi, Shi-jon Martina, Jesper Uneken (72/Immanuel Hagemans), Jaivy Lourens.