After last week's good 2-0 win against Feyenoord, the O15 faced AZ today. A team that had a mixed start to the league. The Alkmaarers collected four points from two matches so far. It played equal against Ajax, lost at Vitesse and won against Alphense Boys last weekend. PSV was, as the only one, still without a point loss. But traditionally always struggles at the often windy AZ complex.

In a messy opening phase with many long balls, AZ took the lead rather unexpectedly in the 9th minute. On the edge of offside the AZ player was allowed to score the opening goal. PSV was struggling, especially with themselves. Still, in the course of the first half, the Eindhoveners got into the game a bit better. And it also got possibilities and chances. Many and big ones even. After half an hour it even looked like prize shooting but the ball just wouldn't go in. Even a ball from half a meter was shot over. It was that kind of game. On the other hand, it was constantly watching out for the Alkmaar deep ball on the fast forwards. Just before halftime, PSV had two more chances through Onesime Zimuangana. The first time he was just defended before he could finish, the second chance he shot just wide.

After halftime, PSV suffered an immediate blow. A free kick was extended with the head in the first minute, bringing AZ to 2-0. PSV had to come and give away spaces in the back. But even after the second goal, PSV created more than enough chances. It was also unlucky that a free kick from Elvic Jager hit the bar via the back of an AZ player. Instead of the tying goal, AZ made it 3-0 in the 50th minute when it took full advantage of the space provided. PSV did not give up yet and almost Robin van Duiven scored the 3-1 from a free kick. However, the goalkeeper tapped the ball just out of the goal. The 3-1 came after an hour of play. A player from Alkmaar got his hand on the ball in the penalty area and Nicolas Verkooijen shot the penalty impeccably into the net. A minute later it could have been 3-2. Elvic crossed hard to Robin who appeared dangerous in front of the goal, but the AZ goalie courageously dived the ball just in front of Robin's foot. After Niek Janssen saved another effort, the PSV goalie, in his zeal to catch a ball, caused a penalty. He fouled an AZ player and AZ converted the awarded penalty into the 4-1 win. In the closing stages, PSV still had chances to make the score a little more bearable, but they were unable to find the net (partly due to good goalkeeping).

Thus, PSV lost its first game this season and received a simple lesson in effectiveness. The 4-1 final score may have been flattered, but scoreless PSV boarded the bus again for the long journey home. Next week follows the home game against Sparta.

Setup: Niek Janssen; Sven van der Plas, Wessel Kuhn (51' Robin van Duiven), Floris Bos, Raf van de Riet; Peter Quispel, Tijn Vergeldt (40' Joep Vermeulen, 68' Merijn van de Wiel), Nicolas Verkooijen; Elvic Jager (c), Onesime Zimuangana, Sami Bouhoudane (40' Jordy Bawuah).