This weekend the home game against Volendam was scheduled. With the North Dutchmen, the Eindhoven team faced another opponent that was not among the top teams in the league table. Last weekend they beat low-fly VVV Venlo 0-5 with four goals from striker Yorbe Vertessen. Unfortunately, Yorbe did not come out of the Belgium-Netherlands game unscathed. So he was not available. Fortunately we could call on the striker of PSV o14 again: Jayden Braaf. Luckily because this youngster recently put Ajax o15 on the rack by scoring both goals in Amsterdam in the 1-2 victory.

In the warm-up, goalkeeper Jurre Schaafsma also dropped out, while birthday boy Dennis Vos also did not finish the warm-up completely armpit fresh.

Missing players is always annoying, but should not be an excuse for any lesser performance. Someone else will have to step up and fill the void. Consequently, both teams started with 11 against 11, like every game....

The opening stages were somewhat messy. Nevertheless, the home team had its first chance in the 3rd minute. But captain Damian Timan saw his shot blocked. A few minutes later a well set up attack via Mathijs Bel and Jochem van Dijk (also celebrating his birthday) was whistled off for offside by Dani Mathieu.

In the 10th minute the Volendam goalie was able to fish the ball out of the net. A nice long kick from Dennis Vos ended up in space behind the Volendam defense, which Jayden Braaf was able to deal with. In the one-on-one situation that followed with the goalie he remained calm and slid the ball into the goal: 1-0.

The opening goal did not give PSV the peace of mind they were hoping for. The game on the Eindhoven side was sloppy and Volendam played compact at the back. The home team could therefore create few chances. After 20 minutes it became dangerous again when Mathijs Bel entered the penalty area on the right with the ball at his feet. Not selfishly he laid the ball wide where Damian Timan could not reach the ball. At the 2nd post the ball reached Dani Mathieu but unfortunately he was unable to score.

PSV went no further than distance shots and blocked shots by Lars Koolen, Jochem van Dijk and Damian Timan.

Just after halftime, PSV had a chance to score its second goal. Mo Ihattaren sent Jayden Braaf into the depths, his shot was narrowly turned into a corner via the goalkeeper's fingertips. Although this one caused a lot of commotion in front of the Volendam goal line, no goal was scored.

After Volendam had only been dangerous in front of Victor Camps' goal for the first time in the 40th minute, Beslan Sagov pounced on the Volendam goalkeeper two minutes later, seeing the rebound shot hard wide by Mo Ihattaren.

A minute later Damian Timan also hit the Volendam goalie after he was nicely put away by Dani Mathieu. Thus the margin remained only one goal and it remained exciting.

Despite not reaching a super level today, PSV had not had much to fear from the guests until then. Therefore, it was rather surprising that the Oranjehemden came alongside in the 44th minute when the ball was insufficiently cleared at the back and Volendam's left-winger scored the 1-1.

PSV could not afford to lose a point at home, and went hunting for another lead. But it was all just not there today. Just not sharp enough, just not hitting the ball full, just not making the final pass well, just not functioning as a team, etc.

More than two headers by Jayden Braaf and distance shots by Beslan Sagov and Mo Ihattaren, which either lacked power and/or direction, the Eindhoven team did not get more than that.

Therefore, the match ended in a 1-1 draw and PSV lost two precious points. Perhaps the result of a tough week for some of PSV's internationals after all. But even that, besides the wide bench of injured players, should not be an excuse.

Next week follows the topper against AZ, which saw its own match at Feyenoord cancelled today.

Victor Camps; Shurandy Sambo, Mees Kreekels, Dennis Vos (14' Lars Koolen) , Jochem van Dijk; Mathijs Bel, Mo Ihattaren, Damian Timan (c); Beslan Sagov (60' Thijs Martens), Jayden Braaf, Dani Mathieu (50' Stijn van der Put).