PSV Women defeated Ajax 4-1. The match at Op de Toekomst was not particularly tense, as Kasper Kurland’s team was already leading 3-0 after 45 minutes.
Going into the match, Ajax was five points ahead of PSV. That gap in the standings did not translate to the field. Lore Jacobs proved this in the sixth minute by opening the scoring. This was preceded by some excellent build-up play: “ Chimera Ripa ” beat her direct opponent and found the Belgian forward with a sharp cross. Liz Rijsbergen then had two chances to double the lead, but on one occasion she hit the goalkeeper, and on the other, a defender blocked her shot.
So Liz didn’t score herself just yet, but she did set up someone else: in the18th minute, Shanice van de Sanden found the net following a typical Rijsbergen play. Shanice was able to tap it in easily. And so, all the forwards had already made an appearance in the match. Although the game became much more evenly matched afterward, PSV still managed to make it 0-3. In the39th minute, Xanne Kip, an Ajax player, scored an own goal off a free kick.
Most people at Sportpark De Toekomst were probably hoping for a very different second half, but that wasn’t to be. In the52nd minute, Liz made it 4-0 after a beautiful backheel assist from Lore. After that, Ajax pulled one back from the penalty spot, but a comeback never materialized. PSV even had the best chances to score the sixth goal of the afternoon. Sisca Folkertsma, in particular, came close with a volley. PSV skillfully saw out the match, narrowing the gap behind Ajax to two points.
Score progression
6’ – Jacobs 0-1
18’ – Van de Sanden 0-2
39’ – Kip (OG) 0-3
52’ – Rijsbergen 0-4
62’ – Spitse 1-4
Lineup
Evrard, Bross, Folkertsma, Hendriks, Thrige (Rutgers); Renfurm, Cayman, Ripa (Lacroix); Rijsbergen (Hickelsberger), Jacobs, Van de Sanden (Altena).