After last weekend's disappointing defeat against Sparta, PSV C1 had a chance to revenge. It then had to do so in the context of the cup competition. Because the last group match was scheduled this weekend. Opponent was Volendam. The village of fishermen and music with the well-known typical Volendam sound.
Both teams were still unbeaten in the cup this season. While PSV took the spoils twice against AFC and Excelsior respectively, Volendam played equal against AFC. With these results, PSV was almost certain of qualifying for the knockout rounds. But with a win or a draw, wintering in the cup would definitely be a fact.
After Volendam shot wide from distance in the 4th minute and came close to a goal in the 9th minute when a lob by Arne Lekens tapped out of his goal mouth, it was PSV's turn. A shot by captain Justin Lonwijk was easily defused by the Volendam goalie. But a few minutes later, as befits a true Volendam man, he could go fishing in the 15th minute. Leandro Fernandes received the ball midway through the Volendam half on the left side. With the ball at his feet he dribbled inside, saw that Justin cleverly ran into the penalty area and at the right moment he passed the ball with the right speed to Justin, who controlled the 1-0.
Just two minutes later PSV was able to extend its lead after striker Cody Gakpo followed up a good move on the back line with a good cross. Unfortunately, Amar Catiç was hindered just enough to finish.
It turned out to be a stay of execution.....in the 22nd minute, Cody made it 2-0. He received the ball on the edge of the 16 meters, played himself free well and found the far corner with his low shot.
PSV continued to dictate the game, but was sloppy in finishing so both teams went to hot tea with a 2-0 score.
After halftime, the picture was the same: PSV on top with good positional play in search of a bigger lead. Yasin Aalillou came very close in the 41st minute after he headed a measured cross from Amar towards goal. However, the Volendam goalie saved handsomely. Not much later, it was Amar himself who failed to sufficiently assess a fine cross from Baggio Wallenburg and headed over.
PSV continued to put pressure on the Volendam goal. And in particular substitute Sekou Sidibe was often the boss of his direct opponent on the left. Unfortunately his crosses were not converted into goals so it remained "only" 2-0.
Halfway through the second half goalkeeper Arne Lekens had to roll up his sleeves again when he had to act. The counter attack gave Leandro another chance that was not taken.
PSV were forced to play with 10 men when Baggio left the field injured. There were no more substitutes on the bench, so there was no other option. Volendam took advantage of the numerical majority in the 64th minute when a cross from the right went in. Volendam suddenly got a feeling of "it's still possible" and "there might be more Volendam music in here." And started to play all or nothing. PSV also got more space and almost Cody scored the decisive third Eindhoven goal after an unparalleled action. Davy van de Berg played Cody in hard and he flicked the ball over his opponent with one fluent move, setting himself free in front of the goal. But the goalkeeper had the trick and got out of his goal and prevented the 3-1.
PSV almost squandered the victory in the closing stages of the game when a Volendam player suddenly appeared alone in front of substitute Pepijn Vonk. Fortunately Pepijn was able to save. And PSV did take advantage of the space in the final minute when they countered via Yasin. Yasin played the ball off to Leandro who this time managed to find the Volendam (fishing) net: 3-1.
A deserved victory and PSV C1 easily made it through.
Arne Lekens (62' Pepijn Vonk); Jordan Teze, James Fofana, Lars Dickens (35' Sekou Sidibe), Benjamin Kailie; Baggio Wallenburg, Leandro Fernandes, Justin Lonwijk (c); Amar Catiç (49' Davy van de Berg), Cody Gakpo, Yasin Aalillou.