PSV Women started the league with a narrow but deserved victory over Excelsior Rotterdam. In Eindhoven, Riola Xhemaili was the matchwinner with a header in the second half. PSV Women had plenty of chances, but were unable to find the net more often.
Before the first league game of the season, Myrte Kemper-Moorrees was put in the spotlight. The defender reached a beautiful milestone: her hundredth official match in the PSV Women's shirt.
From the first whistle a lively match develops. PSV Women immediately looks for the attack and soon creates the first big chances. After a quick attack Renate Jansen gets free in front of the goal, but her effort is turned away. In the rebound Chimera Ripa seems to score after all, but her shot is cleared on the line by an Excelsior defender.
The home team remains the dominant side and plays a lot on the Rotterdammers' half. In the 21st minute, captain Laura Strik gets an opportunity from a corner kick, but she fails to make a dangerous shot. Moments later it is again Chimera who causes a threat: with a convincing action in the penalty area she gets a shot, but the Excelsior goalkeeper is well positioned. Despite the chances, PSV Women go into halftime with a 0-0 score.
Second half
After half-time Roeland ten Berge 's team immediately continued where it had left off. A corner kick immediately created danger, but did not lead to the desired opening goal. Shortly afterwards Lore Jacobs headed towards goal, but her effort ended up in the goalkeeper's hands.
In the 65th minute it finally hit the mark. After a good cross from Renate Jansen, Riola Xhemaili heads the ball convincingly in: 1-0 for PSV Women. Twelve minutes later Liz Rijsbergen goes close with a long-distance shot that is turned away; in the rebound Sara Thrige gets an excellent chance, but she shoots over the goal. Riola also gets a second header chance, but this time the ball misses the right direction.
In the closing stages, PSV continued to search for the decisive second goal. In extra time that opportunity comes for Melanie Bross, but she too fails to double the margin. PSV Women wins first round by a narrow margin in a game with many chances.
Scoring
65' - 1-0 Riola Xhemaili
SetupEvrard, Thrige, Henschen (66' Rijsbergen), Folkertsma, Bross, Lacroix, Strik (45' Nijstad), Ripa (73' Frijns), Jacobs, Xhemaili, Jansen (85' Kemper-Moorrees)
Star of the Match: Riola Xhemaili