On Friday night in Rotterdam, PSV U21 took on high-flying Excelsior. After an exciting game of football, it was the home team that took the win, but not without a fight.
Early deficit
PSV U21 found themselves behind early on when an Excelsior player sent the ball into the left corner with a line. Ruud van Nistelrooy's men then got into the game better and even created more chances than the opponent. Yet, just as against ADO Den haag, Vincent Müller was thanked when he was able to change the direction of the ball with his fingertips so that it went wide. PSV U21 threatened their lives just before half-time after a quick counterattack, but Damian Timan shot wide.
Fatal final phase
Initially, the line from the first half was continued; PSV U21 created chances. But soon Müller's goal had to be defended time and again against the increasingly frivolous playing Excelsior. The crowd got behind them and it got very tricky for a while, but they stood their ground and there was another period in which PSV U21 showed that they can make life difficult for any team in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. Still, Excelsior's counterattacks finally broke the resistance, and Excelsior scored two more goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes.
Müller, Markelo, (60/Felipe)Matuta, Vos Oppegård; Kjølø, (60/Colyn)Timan, Doudah; (32/Touré)Antonisse, Sealy, Bakayoko.