Young PSV travels to England this week for the semifinals of the Premier League International Cup. The opponent is West Ham United O21. Trainer Wil Boessen looks ahead to the encounter and emphasizes that at this stage of the tournament there is only one goal: taking the final victory.
It is not the first time that Young PSV meets West Ham United in the PLIC. In 2022, a mutual encounter ended in a 5-0 win for Young PSV. That game does not give an edge in the semifinals, Boessen stressed. "It's always difficult to estimate how an opponent will face. We are a season ahead, but of course the same goes for them."
Own game
The pledges' coach also does not intend to let his own game plan be influenced by the opponent. "You must always reason from your own strengths and take advantage of them, even against teams in a different system. The system doesn't change much, only the players on the field. We always use the same battle plan, attacking defense and focusing on switch moments."
Advantages
Boessen says participation in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie offers advantages during the PLIC. "Our boys can gain experience at a young age, especially physically. You take that with you to England, because there you suddenly play matches against peers. In that, like last season, we notice that our pace is just a little bit faster and that we can last longer than the rest. We take advantage of that, every time."
However, stepping off the field winningly is not a given, he makes known. "In the end, your game does have to be of high tempo. We also have to be physically very good. That is often already better than the English teams, while that is their style of play. We have to be able to keep that up and that is essential."
Clear goal
On Friday night, Young PSV played at Velsen-Zuid against Telstar and four days later it will appear at Victoria Road. "If we don't have a PLIC game, we often play a weekday practice match against teams from the Eredivisie or German Bundesliga. We have to do that because the boys have to learn to be constantly on and focused. They have to be able to physically deal with multiple high-level games."
Boessen also leaves no doubt about the goal: to prolong the title. "Title pressure arises naturally. In the end, that is also what you need. Especially in the minds of the players, so they learn to deal with that pressure. Having to win a semifinal to reach the final is incredibly important. Especially for mental resilience. In this kind of competition, you always want to win. Development is very important, but when you've come this far, you have to go for it full force."
Selection
Keepersman: Niek Schiks, Kjell Peersman.
Defenders: Emmanuel van de Blaak, Shurandy Sambo, Conrad Jaden Egan-Riley, Matteo Dams, Wessel Kuhn and Koen Jansen.
Midfielders: Tygo Land, Mylian Jimenez, Dantaye Gilbert, Mohamed Nassoh, Richy Ledezma and Enzo Geerts.
Attackers: Jevon Simons, Jesper Uneken, Emir Bars and Tay Abed.