Against FC Den Bosch, PSV D1 lost points again last Saturday: 2-2. Because the competition also played equal or even lost (Roda JC) the damage was limited and PSV has it in their own hands to enter the winter break as 'champion'. The point against Den Bosch came late in the game. In the last minute of the match Mink Peeters shot PSV next to Den Bosch via the penalty spot. Both teams could live with that result, although PSV would have had more chance if they had been more careful with the chances in the first half. Den Bosch limited themselves in that second half to holding back and rowing balls away; perhaps not the best tactic to defend a 0-2 lead.
Well, the match then. The very first start is for Den Bosch, which boldly goes for the attack and even gets a very best chance in the seventh minute. Fortunately, Ieke Scheerhoorn saves well. PSV does not get much further than some pinpricks, but gradually gets a grip on the match. Still, the PSV play looks a bit sluggish and especially at the back the players act messy and careless. After sixteen minutes the first decent opportunity arises for the home team. From a corner the ball ends up in the hands of Lennerd Daneels, who passes to Dante Rigo. His ball disappears over the goal of the (also excelling) Bossche goalkeeper. PSV has more ball possession in the first half, but better...no. There are small shooting chances for Zohair Labyad and Ertem Bölükbas, but their shots do not pose any danger. There is a big chance for Mink, who gets free in front of the goalie after a nice move by Lennerd, but the ball lands on his 'chocolate leg' and he shoots powerlessly. And if you don't make them yourself, the opponent takes advantage. In the 25th minute the Bossche number 10 managed to outsmart Ieke with a lovely lob to give Den Bosch a 0-1 lead. Immediately afterwards it is PSV's turn. Lennerd delivers a good cross to Matthias Verreth who slips and misses at the 'moment suprême'. Another good chance goes to waste and again Den Bosch takes advantage. From a messy situation at the back the ball suddenly disappears high over Ieke into the empty goal: 0-2. Just before half time Mink gets a chance to connect, but a little bit of luck is missing.
The second half. Claudio made some changes and that paid off in the third minute. After an excellent deep pass from Twan Menin, Lennerd played the ball on the right and Joey Konings had a free and hard header: 1-2. Suddenly there is still more than enough time to get the three points. Den Bosch retreats completely to their own half and only sporadically comes out of it. In the thirteenth minute the equalizer seems to fall, but Matthias grabs the top of the crossbar. Two minutes later it is Ties van den Eijnde who gets a decent chance. He solves cleverly through the defense, but eventually delivers a weak shot that the goalkeeper can easily catch. PSV is in any case convincing and eagerly hunting for the 2-2, an inspiration that we saw too little of in the first half. Den Bosch holds its ground with all its might and it is very difficult for Claudio Braga's boys to break through that wall. There is a very big chance for Lennerd in the 25th minute. A nice through ball from Matthias gets to Lennerd. Lennerd cuts through the defense and curls the ball beautifully into the corner, but the Bosch goalkeeper again makes an excellent save. The first defeat really seems to be coming, until the 30th minute. Matthias struggles through the Bossche wall and is brought down near the goalkeeper. The penalty is rightly awarded and Mink shoots in. Joey then gets another good chance, but unfortunately he kicks just over.
All in all a difficult, but deserved point. The effort was good. Next week against MVV we will have to make better use of the chances, because just like Den Bosch the Maastricht players will be lurking in the gaps.