The very last league round before the winter break was on the program this weekend. For both PSV 1 and the o15 the opponent was Ajax and the rule was: winning means gaining ground in the title game, losing means putting the title aspirations in the fridge (for the time being).
In the o15 competition, the Amsterdam guests only lost their first points last weekend by surprisingly losing 0-3 at home. As a result, a renewed defeat could make the 2nd half of the competition exciting. The score before the match was: Ajax leading with 33 points, shared 2nd AZ and Feyenoord with 26 points and 4th PSV with 24 points. After which Sparta and Vitesse followed with 22 points.
After a short phase of exploring, the game was soon put on the wagon. For in the 5th minute Ajax took a 0-1 lead. A free kick on the side was played in short to a flank player who crossed the ball high at the 2nd post. The PSV defense failed to clear the ball, which was again passed to two Ajax players who overlooked it and made it easy for Ajax to break the deadlock.
PSV faced a quick deficit for the umpteenth time this competition. Often it was able to repair that deficit in the remainder of the match. Would that also succeed in this crucial match? "Every disadvantage has its advantage" was a famous saying of the greatest Ajacied player ever. And that's true now too: after all, the advantage of falling behind quickly is that you have more time to score yourself too.....
PSV did not let the early deficit get them down. They stood their ground and put their heart and soul into the game. Especially from stationary situations they were regularly threatening. Especially because of the beautiful kick by Mohamed Ihattaren, who often cut the ball nicely and thus created a lot of threat to the Amsterdam goal.
After Kees van Lindert had already been dangerous with a header, Jason Pigmans had his shot blocked in the goal area and Mohamed had his shot blown offside in the 16th minute. Jayden Braaf received the ball on the left side and rushed past his opponent. He then rammed the ball into the top corner from an awkward angle: 1-1!
Less than two minutes later it was even 2-1. While defending, an Ajacian in his own penalty area got the ball on his arm. Relentlessly, the referee pointed to the penalty spot. PSV had an outside chance at a lead. But everyone knows the stories of penalties and PSV. A combination that is not very happy in general. Jayden took care of the penalty and slid the ball in in a controlled manner: 2-1.
PSV got wings. Literally and figuratively. Especially from the sides they came through dangerously a number of times. Twice Mathijs Tielemans was close to scoring PSV's third goal when he was dangerous on the rebound in the 21st and 22nd minutes. Especially with the 2nd chance, there would have been more if he could have hit the ball more fully with his left.
Ajax might have had a little more ball possession in that phase, but did not get in front of Peter Strijbosch's goal. Only in the 23rd minute did he have to act when the Amsterdam striker suddenly appeared in front of him after accelerating. By quickly getting out of his goal and courageously throwing himself in front of the ball, Peter prevented further danger. The corner that followed yielded nothing.
Before halftime, PSV had two more opportunities to increase their lead. First Mohamed opened beautifully all the way to Jayden, who again beat his opponent and laid the ball back to the sprinting Mo. His direct shot went just wide and over. And a little later the roles were reversed: Jayden took a well-cut corner from Mohamed full on the slipper, but this effort also went wide and over.
While enjoying the fireworks of Lighttown Madness in the background, both teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime.
After the resumption, the game subsided slightly. Indeed, not much more happened in front of the goals. Ajax tried, but could not make a fist and did not create a chance. PSV on the other hand got the space and opportunities to decide the game.
About 10 minutes after halftime, they had no less than three opportunities in quick succession to put the 3-1 on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, the final pass or the choice that was made was not good so the chances disappeared like snow in the sun.
The 2-1 score kept the match extremely exciting and full of emotion. A real winner! Which was finally decided in favor of PSV in the 64th minute. After a foul on Mohamed just outside the penalty area, emotions ran high among the guests. Two yellow for comments were given before Mohamed positioned himself behind the ball and then shot the ball hard and high into the right corner. What a great goal and at the right time too! Another Ajax player received a yellow card for whining.
The last few minutes no more goals were scored. However, two more players received a yellow card. Kees van Lindert on behalf of PSV and moments later the central defender of Ajax received his second yellow card so he could go to the showers early.
So PSV won this topper. A deserved victory that was partly due to a strong collective. And of course a couple of great goals..... Because of PSV's victory and Ajax's defeat, the top of the standings moved closer together and the title race after the winter break seems to be open again. Hopefully the same goes for Sunday when Ajax and PSV take on each other in the Arene tegel.
I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, a Good New Year and a Great, Good, Gigantically Great 2017!
Peter Strijbosch; Alberto Puts, Emmanuel Matuta, Joost de Schutter, Ian Maatsen (c); Mathijs Tielemans, Amin Doudah, Kees van Lindert; Mohamed Ihattaren, Jason Pigmans, Jayden Braaf.
Yellow card: Kees van Lindert