The fourth league round was on the program this weekend. At least: for PSV its 4th, but for Heerenveen only its 3rd. Because due to heavy rainfall the first league round literally fell into the water, Fc Utrecht and this weekend's opponent, Heerenveen, are already one round behind.
With Heerenveen as their guest, the o15 immediately visited the virtual leader. The team from the far north was the only team to score full points so far. And not just any wins! In Amsterdam they won 1-3 and last week at home with 4-1 against Willem II. In a league where all teams are still close together, it was important for PSV to wash away last week's sour defeat to NEC.
The first effort came from the Frisian side, but goalkeeper Victor Camps easily stopped a shot in the 2nd minute. The match went up and down and was played at a high tempo. Heerenveen was threatening in the transition and then eagerly took advantage of their physical advantage and speed.
Yet it was PSV that took the lead in the 10th minute. A brilliant cross from Dennis Vos to the crossing striker Yorbe Vertessen was brilliantly promoted to goal by the latter: 1-0!
After fifteen minutes the home team had a chance to extend the lead. This time captain Damian Timan opened up on Yorbe who penetrated the sixteen-meter area well and laid the ball back from the back line. Unfortunately the ball did not reach a fellow player, but Heerenveen was able to defend.
The game continued to go up and down and after Yorbe almost scored a goal with his header, it was Heerenveen that came alongside in the 19th minute. A ball from the right flank was headed in: 1-1. Not much later, the guests were close to a lead. Fortunately for everyone who cares about PSV, the ball went just wide.
In the 27th minute, Heerenveen proved to be very dangerous. PSV took a corner and all 11 Frisians were in their own sixteen meters. Mohamed Ihattaren's corner produced a lot of threat in the goal mouth. But once the ball was defended out, Heerenveen was in front of Victor's goal in no time.
Both teams failed to score before the break. They both had opportunities, but without success.
After the break, PSV increasingly took the initiative. And crowned their strong play with a goal by Dennis Vos who with his "chocolate leg" in the 43rd minute put PSV back on top. Preceding the goal was a strong action by Yorbe who this time from the right caused a lot of danger after which his cross kept hanging in front of the Frisian goal. Dennis suddenly got the ball at his feet and pawed it through a mishmash of legs into the goal: 2-1.
The new lead gave PSV confidence. It dictated the game and Heerenveen was lucky that its goalkeeper had a great reflex on a Yorbe effort.
After Dani Mathieu just failed to finish off a free kick from Mo, Yorbe nevertheless put the 3-1 on the scoreboard in the 54th minute. The preparation was fabulous. Right back Mees Kreekels steamed up along the line with great strides and was played in at the right moment. At the level of the corner flag he was put under pressure by 2 Frisians. But with a true Ronaldo action he put the 2 Northerners to shame. His follow-up was also excellent: ball back to Yorbe who then took a dry run and shot the ball into the far corner: 3-1.
Heerenveen now had to start taking risks and exchanged a central defender for a winger. PSV got space in front, but did not handle it well. Heerenveen did try to score the tying goal, but did not really become dangerous anymore.
Therefore PSV won this top match 3-1 and everyone agreed that this was the rightful winner. A great performance today that was certainly also due to the strong collective that the team formed. Compliments are certainly in order! Hereby.
Victor Camps; Mees Kreekels (65' Lars Koolen), Shurandy Sambo, Elgero King, Jochem van Dijk; Mathijs Bel, Dennis Vos (65' Stijn van der Put), Damian Timan (c); Mo Ihataren (65' Beslan Sagov), Yorbe Vertessen, Thijs Martens (44' Dani Mathieu).