PSV O15 wins over Ajax

The second match in the champions' pool was scheduled for both PSV and Ajax. Ajax played a 1-1 draw against Vitesse in the first, while the Eindhoveners triumphed 0-2 at Sparta. But this match usually stands alone, so most reflections beforehand fall flat.

PSV did not start off waiting this home game and pinned Ajax early on. It started fiercely and aggressively as it should and surprisingly Ajax had no answer to that. PSV won individual duels all over the pitch and was constantly threatening. It is that the final pass was often sloppy to create chances, but it was obvious who was the better team today and had the conviction and the absolute will to leave the field as the winner after 2x 40 minutes: PSV. After the home side had missed a few opportunities, Vincent Heilmann and Joonas Kolkka's team took the lead in the 19th minute. A long ball from behinduiy van Bram Rovers ended up at Julian Kwaaitaal, who seemed to waste the ball, but via a correct shoulder push still captured the ball. He then played the ball to the free Jason van Duiven, who remained cool in front of the goal and scored the 1-0. A few minutes later, PSV almost made it 2-0 after a corner from Tim van den Heuvel landed on Jason's head who put Joëll Gill'ard in position. However, the defender's hard shot was turned away by the keeper. After half an hour Joëll steamed up on the left, but unfortunately his cross just did not reach Elvic Jager. So the margin remained one goal and the save in the 33rd minute by Tijn Smolenaars was important. Especially since PSV was able to get through and immediately became dangerous. Again it was Bram who put the forwards in position with a long pass. Now it was Jason who received the ball and sent a measured cross to Elvic. He took the ball as a volley where an approach might have been a better choice. For his effort went wide. Just before halftime Elvic again created danger, but this time he hit the goalkeeper in the short corner. So both teams went to rest with a 1-0 score.

Could PSV keep up the energetic play of the first half, which took a lot of strength, in the second half? Dr first minutes showed that at least that was the intention. A shot by Julian went straight at the goalkeeper, and a little later Emir Bars sent his opponent into the woods near the halfway line, but unfortunately his shot also hit the goalkeeper. PSV continued to look for the second goal. It came in the 52nd minute when the Ajax defense lent a hand. The on-rushing Onesime Zimuangana picked the ball off an Amsterdam defender just outside the penalty area and put the 2-0 on the scoreboard. Ajax hung in the ropes and PSV wanted to push on. However, it sloppily played out the opportunities. And seemed to have to pay the bill for that when the guests suddenly made it 2-1 in the 61st minute. For a moment, PSV was looking for renewed strength and swooned when two minutes later Ajax hit the underside of the crossbar. Fortunately, PSV recovered quickly anyway and took firm control again. A header by Onesime went over and a little later Tim reached Elvic with a wonderful cross, who headed powerfully at goal but to his dismay saw that the Ajax goalie just managed to punch the ball out of the goal. Tijn also had to save one more time for PSV, but ten minutes before time Elvic decided the match. A pass from Jason was picked up by him around the halfway line and after a long sprint he calmly stayed in front of the goalie and slid the ball in: 3-1. Onesime then thought to score the fourth Eindhoven goal after a great individual action by Julian, but did not hit the target. It was a stay of execution, because just before the end of the game Onesime was the first to shoot in a turned shot by Elvic to make it 4-1.

Thus the O15 won the topper in a wonderful, convincing way. A more than deserved victory today, with a real and solid team on the field that fought Ajax with a knife between its teeth from the first whistle of the fine referee. Now the task is to bring up this style of play and the energy that was thrown into the match every game. Then great times await....

Setup:
Tijn Smolenaars; Reda El Meliani (63/ Arthur Piedfort), Bram Rovers, Joëll Gill'ard (71/ Floris Bos), Renzo Tytens; Tijn Vergeldt (62/ Enzo Geerts), Tim van den Heuvel, Jason van Duiven (c); Elvic Jager, Julian Kwaaitaal, Emir Bars (49/ Onesime Zimuangana).

Yellow card: Jason van Duiven, Tim van den Heuvel