New year. New round and therefore new opportunities. Perhaps cliché, but for PSV O15 this really applies now.

Unlike previous seasons, a new league is now starting. Where in previous years a whole league was played in region North and South, where the 2 champions eventually fought for the national title, this season it is arranged differently. Both regions played half a league and the first 4 of both pools qualified for the so-called champions' pool / premier league. Together with Heerenveen, AZ, Ajax, Utrecht, Feyenoord, Willem II and VVV/Helmond Sport, the team of trainers Edwin de Wijs and Eric Addo will fight for the national title in a full competition.

This weekend the first round was scheduled. Immediately a cracker, because neighboring Willem II came to visit. And we still had a score to settle with this team. Because it was against the team from Tilburg that PSV suffered its only defeat in an official game. With a 0-1 victory, Willem II took the three points to Tilburg at the end of September.

A nice and good moment to take revenge by keeping the points at De Herdgang this time.

PSV firmly took the initiative from the first whistle and did not relinquish it in the remainder of the match. It strung together corner after corner in the early stages, but this did not lead to goals. It did lead to dangerous headers from Yasin Aalillou (cleared off the line), Koen Oostenbrink (just wide) and Tijn Daverveld (also wide).

The Eindhoven team also got through regularly through field play. In the 11th minute it was Yasin who this time almost promoted a cross from Evert Linthorst into a goal. And not much later he was almost put in front of the goal by a crafty ball from Davy van den Berg. But no goals were scored so far.

After about fifteen minutes the Willem II goalie made a fine reflex save on a shot by Sekou Sidibe. It was waiting for the Eindhoven opening goal. But so was September, and we know how that ended....

Before halftime, PSV had some more chances, but Yasin couldn't give enough power and direction to a header. And Evert took a dropped ball on his slipper in one go. Unfortunately his ball hit the roof of the goal.

After half an hour the guests from Tilburg threatened Lucas Derks' goal for the first time. The shot went wide. Because in the final minutes Joop Daniels managed to find the net, but it was only the side netting, both teams went to rest with a 0-0 score.

PSV thus dominated the first half, showed good field play but failed to take a lead.

After halftime, Willem II started brightly, but this "storm" subsided as quickly as it rose. PSV took control again. And now they scored quickly. Because after Koen Oostenbrink set up an attack in the 38th minute and delivered the ball to Yasin, it eventually ended up with Sekou. From the flank he curled the ball delicately into the far corner and scored the all-important opening goal.

A few minutes later alert goalkeeping by Lucas prevented further danger from Tilburg. PSV had to stay alert. And try to extend the lead themselves.

And they came very close in the 43rd minute. Tijn Daverveld opened with a good long pass from behind to Yasin. He then got to the back line and hit a good cross at the far post which Sekou unfortunately headed hard against the bar.

Moments later, substitute striker Sem van den Broek scored the 2-0, but unfortunately this goal was cancelled due to offside (wrongly?). Sekou had his second goal a minute later, but sloppily shot the ball wide.

Willem II was later fortunate that a handball by a Tilburg defender inside the sixteen meters was judged by the referee as not intentional. The cross came from Davy, who made his opponent look foolish with a panna behind his foot.

The second goal finally came. In the 56th minute Evert was allowed to take another corner. His tight kick landed exactly on Joop Daniëls' head, who simply put the 2-0 on the scoreboard.

In injury time, Yasin made it 3-0 and crowned his good match. Again, this was preceded by a long-running attack. Abou Kone opened from behind and via Evert and substitute Vince Colpaert the ball ended up with Yasin who finally scored a goal and made it 3-0.

A large, clear and above all convincing victory for the Under 15. The crowd was warmed not only by the lovely sunshine, but especially by the fine football played by PSV. Next weekend another cracker is scheduled: at De Toekomst PSV will meet Ajax.


Lucas Derks; Benjamin Kailie, Abou Kone, Tijn Daverveld, Bryan van Hove; Evert Linthorst, Koen Oostenbrink (42' Sem van den Broek), Davy van den Berg (58' Vince Colpaert); Sekou Sidibe (65' Arne Bens), Yasin Aalillou (c), Joop Daniels.