As a report writer you also have to stay in shape of course and write a piece regularly. To my horror, I saw that my last report was already from the end of November. Now it was really my turn again. My fellow reporters Ank and Joel must have thought so too and were undoubtedly deliberately absent today to underline this. After the game I heard whispers that Joel had been there (Arne on a school trip in Switzerland!), but I did not get to see that with my own eyes.
For the football players and also for the reporter, the conditions today were difficult. A stormy wind blew across the country; the steering wheel had to be held with both hands on the way to Eindhoven. As an experienced reporter you know that you shouldn't work with loose bills, because they will fly out of your hands. So with my booklet at the ready I lined up at noon on my traditional middle seat.
After an intensive CITO week but strengthened by the now traditional email from Bastiaan on the Friday (and this week another thoughtful CITO success email), the match against UNA started at 12.15 pm. The first game we had blown UNA off the field, but UNA must not have fully woken up from the summer break back then because in the meantime UNA has reached a nice middle position. Anyway, the D2 is well above and then at home on artificial turf, all confidence in a nice result.
The particularly sporty UNA played from the start with a clear plan, not to let PSV play football and put direct pressure forward. This positive game attitude had results in the first fifteen minutes (the attack is always the best defense); UNA went equal to PSV in the first part of the match. Also due to some slips in the back by the PSV defenders, UNA got decent chances which probably scared the UNA players so much that they missed them time after time (well just barely). Not to mention an honorable mention for Pepijn who managed to turn a beautiful shot from outside the box into a corner.
PSV also had opportunities but due to the strong wind, the balls flew just too hard towards the back line in critical situations and the chance was gone. From a nice attack a classic tip-in by Cody; normally we count them right away but this ball also went just past the goal due to the strong wind. And we were not sharp enough because 100% chances went past the goal rather than in.
After about fifteen minutes you notice that UNA is struggling to keep up the high tempo and pressure forward, and then the D2 gets the game in hand. Corner kicks follow and from one of them it is Justin who firmly rams the 1-0 into the ropes. The 2-0 followed from a wonderful combination via Hus, Cody, Justin and then finally Justin with a tight shot into the corner.
The second half wind against and previously we saw that as an extra opponent, now it is not really so. Combination football actually goes better with the wind against than with a hard wind at your back, because then you often have to chase balls hard. Fresh forces in, including James at right back, Steven at left back and Luc at the back. Nice to see that the backs can be found in front more and more. UNA then succumbs in the second half. It is PSV that plays football and UNA has to stop. And it has to be said, the UNA boys do that with dedication; at the end they know how to throw themselves in front of the ball every time and thus ensure that the result does not rise to great heights.
In the second half we see several fine actions. Hus with a brilliant solo over the left where he passes six UNA players. Steven with a beautiful solo over the left, reaching the back line but finishing just short. Luc with fantastic tight passes from behind. Baggio taking control in midfield, putting his teammates to work left and right. There are nice actions to admire, but the real sharpness to drive the balls into the ropes is lacking. Cody did pass the ball to Justin, who was really sharp today: 3-0. Cody himself concludes his hard work in the match with the 4-0.
If UNA had created the chances in the first half, it could have been exciting. But if those don't go in,it still became a fairly easy win. It felt like just another "Saturday" for the D2. And with high school coming up (and also already preparing a bit for the boys' international careers) I thought, go crazy and throw an English title at it.
For the loyal fans and for the boys as well, another exciting practice affair?
Hans Bosma