In the second match of the triptych this week, Helmond Sport D2 is the opponent. Last Wednesday they played against their peers Club Brugge. After a reasonable 1st half where no goals were scored and where PSV was on top with a chance ratio of 3-1, PSV was outplayed by Brugge in the 2nd half. We are lucky that Brugge only scored one goal in the second half, allowing Greg to equalize in injury time after Jay hit the post. Perhaps the carnival was still in their heads and legs in the second half.
So today Helmond Sport D2. The previous two confrontations resulted in a big defeat and a big victory. So we are curious what to expect today. It is from the kickoff that PSV puts the game in their hands. The game looks neat and the first nice attack is set up from behind. Via Rico, Tijn is reached who sends Arne away and his cross is taken in one go by Greg. Unfortunately the goalkeeper was just in the right place. Arne could break through twice more, but just couldn't find the right man. The left side also provided a threat with Niels coming up well a few times and Joop dribbling into the 16 meters but could not get a shot off. Moments later it was Davy who set himself free with an apparent kick but then collided with the goalkeeper. So the game looks very nice, but it must also be said that Helmond also gives the space and keeps itself mainly in front of its own goal. An unwritten football law remains that if you do not take advantage of the chances, the goal will fall on the other side. So too today. A slip in the back and the ball is behind Kyan. Instead of a 2-0 lead we went into the break with a 1-0 deficit. The second half was almost the same, with Helmond retreating even more into their own half. This made the spaces very small and made it more difficult to play football. As the pitch was not in a good condition, it was not easy to turn the deficit around. Where in the first half a lot of play was done from the sides, creating a lot of danger, now everything goes into the middle, where many Helmond players are. Despite the superiority, there were hardly any chances. Unless it was through Yassin, who was knocked down in the penalty area. The referee, however, does not see a penalty. It was fifteen minutes before the end when Joey judged a free kick from a cross and headed in the deserved equalizer. PSV went in search of victory, but could not find a breach in the Helmond defense. As a result, the match ended in a somewhat disappointing draw. It will just have to happen tomorrow when Klaas Puul's boys come to visit.

Report with thanks to Eric Zeegers