The Report
PSV started the match strongly and took the initiative from the beginning. AZ was searching and had no answer to PSV's play. In the 8th minute, PSV took the lead. A free kick on the edge of the penalty area was shot against the post by Mohamed Nassoh, the rebound also hit the woodwork but finally Martijn Zuijderwijk hit the goal, 0-1. PSV continued their good progress and three minutes after the opening goal PSV had an opportunity to score. The ball was shot just wide in front of an open goal and PSV failed to take distance early in the match. In the 13th minute, AZ took advantage of the first opportunity. A free kick was headed in by a free AZ player, 1-1. This equalizer gave AZ more confidence and they looked more emphatically on the attack. However, it was PSV that took the lead again five minutes after the equalizer. A free kick from Mohamed Nassoh was headed in by Jesse Giebels, 1-2. PSV started to play sloppier and the home team was dangerous with quick breaks. Still the best chance just before half time was for PSV. In the last minute of the first half Jesse Giebels headed in a corner kick, but the AZ goalie made a fine save to prevent a goal.
AZ started the second half sharp and immediately took control. PSV was sloppy and made too many mistakes. Because of this sloppy play, PSV completely gave the game away in six minutes. Between the 42nd and 48th minutes, the home club managed to score three goals so that PSV was facing a large deficit, 4-2. The question was whether PSV could turn the tide at that point. Soon after the 4-2, PSV managed to score the tying goal. Martijn Zuijderwijk sent Ruben van Bommel into the deep and with a lob over the AZ goalie Ruben scored the 4-3. PSV could not enjoy this goal for long because one minute after the tying goal AZ brought the margin back to two, 5-3. In the remaining part of the second half AZ tried to extend the score even further, but the home club could not get further than a shot against the crossbar. PSV was unable to cause AZ any more problems, so PSV returned home empty-handed.
Lineup: Kevin Gadellaa (36' Niek Schiks), Joep van den Berk (62' Nassim Achenteh), D'Leanu Arts, Nawaaz Landfeld, Jesse Giebels (47' Deveron Fonville), Cel Teunen, Ruben van Bommel, Mohamed Nassoh, Jesper Uneken (52' Sven Simons), Martijn Zuijderwijk and Milan van de Riet.