On Tuesday afternoon the cup semi-final was scheduled for PSV's o15. After beating Sparta (2-2 wns penalty kicks), Feyenoord (3-0) and Fc Twente (0-5) in a row and having a free draw, now the semi-final against Ajax at De Toekomst.
In the regular competition, Edwin de Wijs' team has played the Amsterdammers twice before. They won 1-2 at home in October. At home in March Ajax took the 3 points (2-4).
Conclusion: it was not going to be a Makk(el)ie.....
The first chance in the match was for PSV when Jayden Braaf went through on the left but the ball didn't synchronize with his speed. Away chance in other words. Ajax was a lot more dangerous in the 8th minute. Via the kluts the ball suddenly ended up with an Ajax striker who came face to face with goalkeeper Jurre Schaafsma. PSV swooned when he shot outside the post wide.
Ajax had more ball possession than the Eindhoveners and took the lead after 15 minutes of play. After a through pass from the center line, the fast outfielder was sent off and he managed to finish off in a controlled manner: 1-0.
Five minutes later Ajax seemed to extend the lead. Ineffective defense on the PSV side gave Ajax the opportunity to score, but thanks to an Eindhoven leg, the effort from an Ajax player went wide.
PSV had thrown off a bit of its guard in that phase. Slowly, it got some opportunities, though Yorbe Vertessen just didn't get enough space to shoot in the 23rd minute. The corner that he did manage to drag out produced danger from a Shurandy Sambo header, but no goal.
The goal did come. At the other end.... Another lack of effort allowed Ajax to put the ball in the net in the 26th minute: 2-0.
Two minutes later, PSV brought the tension back. Jayden Braaf tapped the ball behind his foot and between the legs of an Ajax player to the deep Jochem van Dijk. His cross was perfect to Yorbe Vertessen who headed hard at goal. With a beautiful save the Ajax goalie could turn the ball away but in the rebound Yorbe could still score: 2-1.
After the break the chances flew in the first phase. Jurre Schaafsma saved an Ajax effort. A little later Mo Ihattaren cleverly took a free kick to the sprinting Mees Kreekels. Unfortunately, his cross did not end up with a teammate. Again a few minutes later PSV got away well when a duel around the 16 was lost and an Ajax player got free in front of Jurre in the left corner. Fortunately Jurre saved.
PSV became stronger by the minute and forced Ajax back into their own half. Jayden Braaf was flagged offside, Mo tried to surprise the goalkeeper with a shot after good work by Yorbe, and moments later a cross from Jayden just did not reach Yorbe.
In the 60th minute, PSV seemed to score. After a good running attack through Mees and Jayden, Mees was able to cross. Mo received the ball but shot just past the wrong side of the post.
Five minutes before time PSV seemed to get THE chance to reward themselves for the good play of the 2nd half. After a good flank ball, Yorbe wanted to score via an overhead kick, but he was pulled backwards by his shirt. The ref whistled and everyone expected him to give a penalty. But to the bewilderment of all PSV players, the referee pointed the other way. Yorbe would have committed a foul in his eyes.....
Despite all or nothing in the closing stages, PSV could not find the goal anymore and thus saw the chance of playing a cup final go up in smoke. Compliments for the entire team, especially in the 2nd half, are absolutely in order. But you don't play a final with that....
Jurre Schaafsma; Mees Kreekels, Shurandy Sambo, Mathijs Bel, Jochem van Dijk; Damian Timan (c), Dennis Vos, Mo Ihattaren; Beslan Sagov (61' Thijs Martens), Yorbe Vertessen, Jayden Braaf.