Today another Netherlands-Belgium match at the Herdgang. PSV welcomed Belgian top class team Lierse SK. And that is always a treat for the fans.
In the previous confrontation PSV had a tough time and lost 2-3 to Lierse on their own ground. Coach Bastiaan's boys would like to see a
different result standing after the match. But it soon became clear that this was not going to be another Belgian stew that the D2 were going to push in for a while.
A fierce battle with sharp duels along both sides. Amar was stopped after only 20 seconds. The free kick that followed was a measure of nothing.
The next free kick for Lierse opened up the Eindhoven offside trap and even the referee stepped in. With 4 players they were suddenly in front of Pepijn, but the Lierse players themselves were too surprised to kick anymore and away chance.
After 10 minutes a slightly too nonchalant return ball from the visitors where Cody was in between, he charged his shot and saw it go in over the goalkeeper. 1-0.
The same Cody play to Amar moments later, Amar's cross reaches Robin, but "Robinho" cracks his shot and the ball lacks power.
The Lierse strikers are also quick but our TGV Steven Bosma at the back retrieves whoever is right back and thus creates calm for PSV instead of chances for Lierse.
After a clever action by Ruud on the left side he delivers a measured cross to Cody and he makes his second of the evening with a flowing spin-shot move. 2-0.
But Belgians are Belgians and you never did.(and I should know) Twenty minutes in and a distance shot from the visitors follows, it deflects off a defender, and Pepijn on the wrong foot. 2-1.
And there is Lierse again, quick attack, Pepijn past, but Luc and Lars are back in time. Well defended boys.
Two minutes later it is 2-2. Cross from the right in one go. Nice goal. And 2-2. And that is the score at halftime.

In the second half we waited for the first chance, well chance... in a sportive act of PSV (a ball that was played back after a referee's ball) Amar hesitated a bit too long. He starts the turbo, intercepts the ball and shoots hard. 3-2.
Ruud then gets into a shooting position but the visiting goalkeeper grabs.
The passes from both the home team and the visitors are too unkempt to speak of beautiful combination football. Is it the artificial light? The real grass instead of artificial grass...?
Halfway through the second half, Jordan wants to set up a counterattack but is wrongly stopped, Jordan wants to break free from the visitor's grip and makes a slapping move. The referee gives a foul against PSV ???? A few meters outside the penalty area. The first foul is simply forgotten here. Mistake by the ref that cost us dearly. The free kick is kicked in over Arne via the crossbar. 3-3.
In the closing stages a last attack by PSV. A Lierse player slips into the penalty area and touches the ball with his hand.
Jordan behind the ball, and he almost pops the goalkeeper through the nets with it. 4-3.
This is also the final score.
The friendly team from Lier with exemplary parents/supporters are happy with the result but would have preferred to see 3-3 on the scoreboard.
A friendly match that was still worth seeing would have pleased those present.

Joel Lekens