Today there was a real topper on the program. The opponent was FC Eindhoven. The youth department of this club has been working closely with PSV since last summer. The opponent had many familiar faces who in recent years also went through the youth program of PSV. They were therefore keen to get a good result against PSV. They also wanted to wash away last week's unexpected defeat against De Valk. So our red and white boys were doubly warned. Apparently trainer Bastiaan had also taken this into account. From the kickoff they flew in. Within a minute Davy saw his shot go just wide. After 5 minutes FC Eindhoven came out of their shell, which resulted in a corner. A dangerous corner was boxed out of the goal area by Kyan. Less than a minute later he had to show his class again at a distance shot by the striker of FC Eindhoven. With an extreme effort he tapped the ball out of the corner. PSV did not let this put them off balance and led by Tijn they looked for the opponent's goal. After a graceful rush he let loose a flaming shot. The goalkeeper was able to stop the ball, but Sem was the first to fire in the rebound to make it 0-1. PSV kept pressing which resulted in two corners. Both corners were identical. Davy took them and twice he managed to find Niels at the second post, who headed just wide. Yet it was FC Eindhoven who equalized midway through the first half. After a quickly executed counter, the striker managed to score the 1-1. From the kickoff, Arne and Davy tried to get back into the lead with a quickly set up attack. Davy's shot was only just turned away by the goalkeeper. However, it turned out to be a stay of execution. In the 16th minute the ball landed at the feet of Niels on the left side of the pitch. He did not hesitate for a moment and from about 15 meters he shot the ball over the goalkeeper into the goal (1-2). FC Eindhoven also showed their resilience because three minutes later it was equal again. With a placed shot the striker managed to score again (2-2). Again PSV did not leave it at that. After a nice action, Arne managed to reach Gregory. However, he could only be kept from scoring by a foul. The free kick was curled brilliantly onto the crossbar by Davy. It was clear that PSV wanted to take the lead into the break. And 5 minutes before half time they did. Niels found Sem on the left, who shot the ball behind the goalkeeper (2-3). The final decision was almost made. Gregory kept on hunting down the defense, which gave him possession of the ball. His effort unfortunately splattered the crossbar. At the referee's whistle another attack could be noted. With a subtle slice of the ball Davy managed to reach Gregory, but his effort unfortunately ended up in the side net. After half time, the home club started with an almost new team. Yet the first chances were again for PSV. With two distance shots Niels was close to scoring his second goal of the day. Arne was also unlucky with his shot, after he was well set free by Sem. In the 36th minute Yassin seemed to decide the game. After a nice action on the left side of the field, it was again the goalkeeper who defused his shot. On the other side of the pitch, we continued to watch out for FC Eindhoven. After another razor-sharp counter it was again Kyan who tapped the ball out of his goal with a cat-like reflex. The heavy pitch (it had rained all night, ed.) began to take its toll. Little by little the strength was draining away from the visitors, but not from Tijn. He still had enough air and crossed the field in the 45th minute. Unfortunately for him, his attempt also failed to hit the target. This was the signal for FC Eindhoven to play all or nothing. With long high balls they tried to create danger in the goal area. Three minutes before time it looked like a draw. Fortunately Tijn was again in the right place to clear the ball from the goal line. In injury time the home club got a free kick. At the far post it was headed just over. This meant that the home team gained another three points after a difficult match.

Report with thanks to Kees Raaijmakers