After the midweek defeat against leader FC Twente, PSV/FC Eindhoven had to face Belgian RSC Anderlecht on Friday night at De Herdgang. Thanks to a late goal by Ibtissam Bouharat the points stayed in Eindhoven.
First half
In the scanning early stages, it was PSV/FC Eindhoven that got stronger and stronger in the match. Myrthe Moorrees and Ibtissam Bouharat fought many duels in the midfield to service the creativity of Nadia Coolen and Daniëlle van de Donk. Lisanne Vermeulen had the first chance of the match in the 16th minute after she suddenly got the ball at her feet and lashed out, but her shot sailed over. Shortly after, Nadia Coolen deftly played herself free and volleyed the ball only just over the crossbar. Angela Christ prevented a counter goal in the 26th minute when she thoughtfully got out of her goal after Justine Blave found herself one-on-one. Shortly before halftime Lisanne Vermeulen was again close to scoring the opening goal, but her good performance last week against KAA Gent (in which she scored four goals) was not followed up.
The eleven with which PSV/FC Eindhoven started the match | © Thomas Bakker
Late goal
In the second half, RSC Anderlecht stepped up a gear and thus prevented PSV/FC Eindhoven from becoming dangerous. Despite the slight advantage in ball possession, the Eindhoven defense easily held its ground. In the 69th minute, Lisanne Vermeulen could have put PSV/FC Eindhoven ahead 1-0. Her subtle lob landed on the roof of the goal. For a long time it looked like both teams would have to settle for a point, but Ibtissam Bouharat thought otherwise. After Lisanne Vermeulen was brought down on the edge of the penalty area by Laura Deloose, who was shown a red card, Myrthe Moorrees was given a free kick in the very last minute. The free kick ended up at the feet of Ibtissam Bouharat, who took a devastating shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Lemey: 1-0. The player crowned herself match winner against her old club. With this victory the Lighttown Ladies climb to seventh place in the BeNe League.