After the horrific events of Friday night and night in Paris, the knob had to be turned again. Football at times like that is nothing more or less than a sideshow. For many, however, it is the most important side issue.
For the o15 the cup match against Feyenoord was on the program today. And this meant for PSV after last week's defeat against Feyenoord (3-1), that it very quickly got the opportunity for revenge. For fate had paired the two teams together in the 1/8th final in the cup competition. Would the Eindhoveners be the winners this time?
Feyenoord started brightly got off to a good start. In the 5th minute it had a great chance, but fortunately Elgero King was able to block the shot. PSV struggled to find the right rhythm and sporadically got over the center line. And once they were, ball loss usually followed quickly.
Nevertheless, striker Yorbe Vertessen almost wormed his way through the Rotterdam defense in the 10th minute and right back Lars Koolen shot over not much later.
In the 13th minute, Victor Camps saved the Eindhoven team from falling behind when he saved a shot from close range. After Beslan Sagov also hit the (this time Rotterdam) goalie a minute later, PSV got into a better rhythm.
And that resulted in a lead in the 24th minute. A corner by Mo Ihattaren landed in the goalmouth at the feet of Mathijs Bel, who had no trouble opening the scoring from close range: 1-0.
The game remained messy even after the opening goal. Both teams struggled to keep possession of the ball and create clear-cut chances. Both teams did create a threat before the break. The Feyenoord striker headed a corner just over, and Yorbe hit the goalkeeper with a shot that was too soft and later saw an effort from a difficult angle go just wide.
In the 2nd half, PSV was denied a penalty after 6 minutes when captain Damian Timan sent off striker Yorbe Vertessen. With the ball at his feet, and a Feyenoord defender in pursuit, he steamed towards the penalty area. There he was tapped from behind. Even on the sideline this could be heard. Nonetheless, the referee waved away the foul and allowed it to continue.
A minute later this almost cost PSV dear when Victor barely managed to beat a shot from under the crossbar and turn it into a corner.
A corner in the 47th minute was the basis for the 2-0. Damian kicked it towards the 2nd post where Shurandy Sambo suddenly took the ball on his slipper. The ball got stuck in the goal area and Mees Kreekels was the first to work it in from close range: 2-0!
Feyenood now really had to come forward and was frequently to be found in the Eindhoven half. The home team started to lose momentum. They had the best chance to make it 3-0. The substitute Jochem van Dijk shot from outside the 16 meter wide on the post after which another substitute, Thijs Martens, coolly rounded off. Unfortunately he did so from an offside position, so his goal was cancelled.
As Feyenoord missed a chance to make it 3-0 in the 66th minute, Damian scored in the 67th minute. This was preceded by a strong individual move by Shurandy Sambo, who at first seemed to be fouled on the sideline. But luckily he was allowed to play on, went to the back line, put the ball back to Yorbe who then again put the ball ready for Damian who shot with a controlled and placed shot into the right corner : 3-0!
This decided the match: PSV qualified for the next round at the expense of Feyenoord. A great achievement! Curious to see who will be next....
Next weekend another league game is scheduled: away at VVV Venlo.
Line-up: Victor Camps; Lars Koolen, Mees Kreekels, Elgero King, Shurandy Sambo; Mathijs Bel, Dennis Vos (60' Dani Mathieu), Damian Timan (c) (67' Stijn van der Put); Mo Ihattaren (53' Jochem van Dijk), Yorbe Vertessen, Beslan Sagov (53' Thijs Martens).
Yellow card: Damian Timan