After the Carnival bustle of the past few days, it was now time for real things again: football. On a Friday night, no less. It looks like real professional football.... Due to international obligations next week, the Under-15s played the away game in Heerenveen a day earlier than planned. An opponent it won 3-1 in an exciting match earlier this season.

For those who were not there at the time: PSV won because they formed a strong collective against a physically strong Heerenveen, who were also extremely dangerous in the changeover due to the many fast players in the team. Would it be such a heartwarming game again on this chilly evening in the Far North?

In the opening stages Heerenveen put pressure early on. PSV had trouble building up as a result. The result was a messy initial phase with many duels in midfield. It took until the 11th minute before the first opportunity arose. And that was for the home team after they almost profited from a wrong cross midway through the Eindhoven half.

Only in the 21st minute could the first danger from PSV be created. Left winger Fodé Fofana sent Jayden Braaf away on the left who got to the back line well but then failed to deliver the ball to a fellow player. A minute later it was again PSV that threatened the Frisian goal. After a nice action by Fodé the ball ended up, somewhat fortunately, with Dennis Vos who shot just wide.

PSV had a stronger phase in a half in which Heerenveen had an easier time. After Dennis Vos saw a distance shot go far over in the 28th minute, it was the home team that took the lead after exactly half an hour of play. Heerenveen came through on PSV's right flank. The cross was nicely headed in at the far post by the big Frisian striker: 1-0.

PSV lacked the conviction to do something back before halftime and both teams went to the warm dressing room.

The 2nd half was just 3 minutes in when PSV seemed to equalize. A brilliant no-look pass from birthday boy Mo Ihattaren to Jayden Braaf brought the latter into the 16 meters. There he sent 2 defenders into the woods with a fabulous move. His left footed shot went past the keeper towards the top left corner, but at the very last moment a Heerenveen defender miraculously headed the ball out of the mouth of the goal. Instead of Heerenveen kicking off, PSV was left with only a corner that yielded nothing.

After 42 minutes Heerenveen had the perfect chance to extend their lead when another loss of ball during the build-up on the PSV-side gave the Heerenveen captain the opportunity to score. But just like Dennis Vos in the first half, he shot the ball past the right post with his left.

After Heerenveen created danger with 2 corners by sending their complete air force forward, the last 10 minutes were clearly for PSV. In the 61st minute, Mo picked up the ball midway through the Frisian half. But his blazing shot landed via the inside of the post exactly in the hands of the on-the-ground goalkeeper.

PSV's pressure increased and Heerenveen applied the well-known soccer-adage "gone is gone". I think there is even a ball on the Thialf roof. PSV did not get any more chances, although a cross from the powerful Shurandy Sambo almost caraboomed into the goal. And Dennis Vos was unlucky to extend a cross from Thijs Martens, but again saw his effort roll just past the wrong side of the post.

Thus, PSV lost a league game for the 2nd consecutive time. And where until the previous game PSV scored at least one goal every game, the team has been "dry" for 2 games now.

PSV got on the bus without a point. A long bus ride back they say. But that is nonsense. The journey with 3 points in the pocket is just as far as without them.....

Jurre Schaafsma; Lars Koolen, Mees Kreekels (50' Dani Mathieu), Shurandy Sambo, Jochem van Dijk; Mathijs Bel, Dennis Vos (c), Mo Ihattaren; Beslan Sagov (60' Stijn van der Put), Jayden Braaf, Fodé Fofana (36' Thijs Martens).