After more than a month without league football, the ball was rolling again "for real" for the team of trainers Edwin de Wijs and Joonas Kolkka. The last league game was December 14. And was turned smoothly into a 3-0 victory over MVV.

But today, Willem II was on the program. Although we already played the return games against 2 teams, Willem II was the first time in the comptition. Yet we had already faced the Tilburg team twice this season. Once in the preparation in August (4-1 win after a very high first half). And recently at a Vriendenschaar tournament in Culemborg, where both teams met in the final. This ended, despite the fact that the final was particularly lively, in the well-known "spectacle score". After which PSV controlled their nerves best in the penalty series.

Anyway, to make a short story long......the match of this weekend:

Willem II started sharp and tried to disrupt PSV's build-up early on. Moreover, the Tilburg team had more to contribute physically, especially in midfield. The first opportunity, however, was for PSV when Leandro Fernandes sent a number of Tilburg players into the woods with a couple of unparalleled moves. His cross was unfortunately turned into a corner. Which then came to nothing.

A few minutes later Willem II was dangerous when the left-winger enjoyed too much freedom and took a hard shot. Luckily his shot missed all direction. In this phase Willem II remained the side that was slightly superior.

The 23rd minute was decisive for the further course of the match. After sloppy ball loss in midfield, the fast striker of Willem II was able to storm towards goalkeeper Arne Lekens. The latter quickly got out of his goal, after which the striker seemed to slip. As a result, both players collided head-on. However, the referee judged from his position that Arne illegally denied the striker his goal attempt. And gave Willem II a penalty. And, entirely by the book, the red card for the PSV goalie. Who most likely would have left the field injured anyway. Reserve goalkeeper Kyan van Dorp suddenly had to take the field. And had the thankless task of turning a penalty right away...Kyan unfortunately did not succeed. So Willem II took a 0-1 lead and PSV had to continue with one man less.

It may sound strange, but the underdog situation gave the Eindhoven team a boost. The game tilted slightly and PSV got a better grip on Willem II.

Just before halftime, Leandro Fernandes was allowed to take a free kick on the left. He placed the ball neatly at the far post where midfielder Gaétan Bosiers was pulled very lightly by his shirt. Again the referee decisively pointed to the spot. Yellow card for Willem II and a penalty kick for PSV, heavily punished too. Leandro took care of the penalty and slid the ball in the bottom left corner: 1-1.

After halftime, PSV shifted some accents and came out of the dressing room well as a result. Soon the once again fit Amar Catiç seemed to give PSV the lead. But he came out too far on the outside of the goal area. And his cross was then blocked at the last moment.

But Willen II also made himself heard. The right-winger tested the qualities of goalkeeper Kyan van Dorp and came to the conclusion that they were fine. For Kyan parried the shot in the short corner cleverly.

In the 41st minute Amar was sent into the depth by Leandro. And again it was immediately dangerous. He beat the goalkeeper but two defenders prevented PSV from taking the lead.

The game went up and down. But everyone could see that the PSV players were slowly losing strength. The gaps between the lines were getting bigger and bigger and could hardly be filled. Willem II did get a few chances in the closing stages. Like a cleverly concealed shot by the striker that hit the net above the goal. Or the outside right who outplayed Kyan but Jordan Teze fortunately provided the back cover.

But PSV also got chances to keep the 3 points in Eindhoven. Amar was constantly threatening and just before the end Gaétan sent Leandro away with a nice pass whose effort was narrowly blocked.

There was no more scoring. So the derby ended in a draw. An instructive match for both teams. Compliments for the C1 are in order. If you can play three quarters of the game with one man less, and still make a real game out of it, and clear the deficit with a very young team, then you can be satisfied.

Next week the quarterfinal cup away at Feyenoord. See if we can get back on the bus as winners, just like last year.


Arne Lekens; Baggio Wallenburg (c), James Fofana, Lars Dickens, Jordan Teze; Gaétan Bosiers, Leandro Fernandes, Davy van den Berg; Amar Catiç, Yasin Aalillou (52' Koen Oostenbrink), Remco Evenpoel (23' Kyan van Dorp).