Victory overshadowed by injury
On a weekday Tuesday, PSV O15 played the catch-up game against their peers Vitesse. Last weekend, the team sold itself short by losing 1-0 in embarrassing fashion at Ajax. Today's opponent won against low-fly FC Utrecht.
In the first minute, Vitesse immediately gave a signal when Tijn Smolenaars tapped away a shot in the short corner. It turned out to be a false signal because after that it was PSV that dictated the match. However, it was unfortunate in its finishing. Jason van Duiven pounced on the goalkeeper with an overhead kick, headed just over and Isaac Babadi saw an effort flutter just wide of the far post. It was waiting for the Eindhoven opening goal. Jason went close in the 13th minute when he headed a cross from Tim van den Heuvel on goal and also moments later saw a tight cross from the up-and-coming Renzo Tytens tapped just wide by him. In the 21st minute it finally hit the mark. Arthur Piedfort delivered a good cross that this time was well headed in by Jason. After half an hour the home team almost increased their lead, but the Vitesse goalkeeper saved a hard shot from Julian Kwaaitaal. Vitesse then asserted themselves again offensively by shooting a ball just over. But it was PSV that just before halftime also showed the difference in strength on the scoreboard. Defender Bram Rovers intercepted the ball around the halfway line, steamed towards the enemy goal and delivered a fine cross that was headed in by Elvic Jager: 2-0.
After halftime the first danger, as in the first half, was from the Vitesse side. But very soon PSV decided the game when Julian went through strongly on the left in the 43rd minute, made it to the back line and laid the ball back after which Isaac scored the third Eindhoven goal with a subtle foot movement. PSV continued to be the better team after this and kept looking for more goals. Elvic hit the goalkeeper and Isaac saw a shot blocked by a teammate. That turned out to be the last dangerous action for Isaac, who was badly injured in an unfortunate duel. That Elvic scored 4-0 after the restart was purely for statistics.
Thus, although PSV won by big numbers tonight, the team was also the big loser. Because the team will have to do without Isaac for the time ahead. The team and everyone around wishes Isaac lots of strength in his rehabilitation!
Setup:
Tijn Smolenaars; Reda El Meliani, Bram Rovers, Joëll Gill'ard (60/Brian van den Boogaard), Renzo Tytens; Arthur Piedfort (50/Tijn Vergeldt), Tim van den Heuvel, Isaac Babadi (58/Enzo Geerts); Elvic Jager (60/Onesime Zimuangana), Jason van Duiven (c), Julian Kwaaitaal (60/Khaled Razak).
Yellow card: Tim van den Heuvel