Almere City report:
Almere City FC C2 narrowly lost 3-2 this morning in a practice match against PSV C2, number two in the BVO o/14 autumn competition pool South. In an exciting match, with numerous fine high points, the Almere players still held a 2-1 lead midway through the second half. In the battle for the last spot in the spring top competition to be held, ADO Den Haag C2 and De Graafschap C2 played to a 1-1 draw. Because of this result, City C2 will have to play in Pool B of the spring competition with hefty trips ahead (Maastricht, Groningen, Venlo and Hengelo).
Difficult start
Almere City FC started the match at the beautiful complex de Herdgang not sharp enough. PSV was the superior side on many fronts and with a fine forward, fine striker and fast outside players, City was certainly overrun in the early stages of the match.
Already in the third minute it was a goal. In PSV's first best attack, the City rearguard was put under good pressure and in the switch followed a flowing combination that could easily be run in by the PSV striker:1-0.
The Eindhoveners' number 10 played a major role in the next 15 minutes. With crafty crosses he put several times a player free in front of goalie Nick Verkaik. Good alert goalkeeping and lack of sharpness by the Eindhoveners kept City in the race. If the score had been 3-0 after fifteen minutes, nobody would have been surprised.
After about twenty minutes, the Almeerders wriggled out of the pressure and through a beautiful pass from captain Mitchel Bergkamp to Anouar Aktoua, the latter was lightly touched in the 16. For the fine referee no discussion possible, penalty kick! Mitchel Bergkamp managed to take the penalty: 1-1.
The final minutes of the first half were for Almere City FC, which pinned PSV in their own half and made a beautiful fast attack over four drives. The splitting final pass from Azor Matusiwa to Casper Bos could not be controlled sufficiently by the latter. The final chord however was for PSV again, but again a shot disappeared past the Almere goal.
Strong
In the second half a completely different Almere City FC. Right from the start they showed sharpness and experience. PSV struggled to build and found the free man less and less. In this phase the Almere players played well and the battle in midfield was clearly won. It was a pity that Clayd Olf could not give Casper Bos' pass the right direction to give the Almeerders the lead.
Not much later the goal was scored! Clayd Olf sent Altan Durmus away on the right side and he netted a corner. From this corner, Anouar Aktaou immediately shot the 2-1 against the ropes. The ball was probably carried by the wind and an ingenious kind of effect that confused the PSV goalkeeper.
PSV stepped up another gear and fought their way back into the match and got the reward for it in the form of the 2-2. The last fifteen minutes of the match now entered a crucial phase for both teams. City was close to the 3-2 when a free kick by Douwe Willemars, in a forest of players, was headed onto the crossbar by Casper Bos.
They were now fighting for every meter and PSV, with overall surplus technique and skill, eventually drew the longest straw. Initially the 3-2 was prevented by Thomas van Heusden, substituting for Nick Verkaik, but a fine volley in the after-shot secured the winning goal.
After a fine second half, the result is perhaps a little sour for City, but we should not forget that in the first half, the Eindhoven players could have easily made it 3-0. With a draw, both coaches would undoubtedly have been at peace.
by Joost Bos