The penultimate league game was scheduled this Easter weekend. And not just one! PSV C1 played away at Sparta, which had lost as many points as leader Feyenoord. An important game for the Spartans. PSV is in third place behind both Rotterdam teams. And could no longer rise or fall. So it is nice to play football freely, you would think.
In the match played at De Herdgang earlier this season, PSV got a lesson in efficiency. And lost 1-4. A great opportunity now for revenge.
The team prepared by coaches Joonas Kolkka and Eric Addo (Edwin de Wijs kept in the background today) started strongly. In the 5th minute Gaétan Bosiers played in left winger Yasin Aalillou who delivered a good cross to Amar Catiç. But Amar just failed to score. A free kick for both teams produced the next danger. First Arne Lekens could easily defuse the Spartan free kick, Leandro Fernandes' went wide via the wall.
PSV was the better footballing team up to that point. But got away well in the 19th minute when Sparta's outside right was allowed to go through on the edge of offside. But fortunately he met Arne's foot.
In line with the game, PSV took the lead in the 22nd minute. After Leandro ran into his back, PSV got a free kick around 21 m right in front of goal. Armando Obispo took it and let loose a flaming shot. His dash was still lightly touched, and plopped into the goal behind the bewildered goalkeeper who was left behind: 0-1.
In the 28th minute, PSV built its lead. On the right, Mathijs Bel Amar, transferred from the D1, played in on the sideline halfway through his own half. With the ball at foot, Amar steamed up, right through the middle. At the right moment, he poked away the deep Cody Gakpo. Cody finished with one simple foot movement, through the legs of the outgoing goalkeeper: 0-2!
The Eindhoven team could not enjoy the 2 goal difference for long. A minute later, Sparta scored the tying goal. Important for them, because in order to still play a role in the championship on the last round of play, Sparta could not afford to lose a point.
In the second half, the match was a little more balanced. Although PSV was the better footballing team. Neither team created any real chances early in the second half. Unless it was a shot by Amar, which the goalkeeper saved from the top corner. Yasin also saw his effort tapped out of the keeper's mouth.
After fifteen minutes the referee (Ruud Bossen) disallowed a PSV goal due to offside.
The last quarter of an hour gave PSV more space up front. Sparta had to take more risks in view of their championship aspirations. Without really playing "all or nothing". The spaces that were created allowed PSV to get through a few times. But Lars Dickens, who came up with the ball, could not reach Leandro.
In the 62nd minute PSV put the game to bed. Baggio Wallenburg won a duel in midfield and played to Justin Lonwijk. Lonwijk then sent Yasin into the depths. Yasin reached the back line and passed well to Leandro, who finished the ball well.
Sparta no longer believed in a good end to the match. But still got a chance for the 2-3. A free kick on the point of the 16, posed some danger. Arne, however, did not let himself be surprised and tapped the ball from under the crossbar fabulously.
Thus, PSV deservedly won today with not only good football, but also by a strong collective. And did its sporting duty. With Sparta's defeat, the championship seems to go to the other Rotterdam team, Feyenoord. With a lead of 3 points and 1 game still to play, things will have to get very strange if they do not become champions.
PSV plays its last league game May 3 at home against VVV. And two weeks after that the cup final at De Herdgang against Ajax.
Arne Lekens; Jordan Teze, Lars Dickens, Armando Obispo (c); Gaétan Bosiers; Baggio Wallenburg, Mathijs Bel (55' Justin Lonwijk), Leandro Fernandes; Amar Catiç, Cody Gakpo, Yasin Aalillou.