PSV O13 does not get what it deserves

At a sun-drenched Herdgang, PSV O13 suffered a narrow defeat against Ajax. The Amsterdammers eventually proved too strong with 1-2. Based on the odds ratio, however, PSV deserved a result.

PSV struggled in the first half and fell behind after twelve minutes. An indirect free kick in the sixteen was converted into a goal by the Amsterdammers. After this goal, PSV got better into the game. The team was threatening from the sides several times and Nicolas Verkooijen had a good chance. However, his effort from the penalty area lacked the precision to make things difficult for the Ajax goalkeeper. While Eindhoven were looking for the equalizer in this phase, it was Ajax that doubled the score. A cross from the side was misjudged by goalkeeper Daan van de Brande, after which he tapped the ball into his own goal. Just before halftime, PSV came close to a goal. After a cross from the flank, Jayden Ettienne got in front of the Ajax goalkeeper. His header seemed to roll in, but was cleared just before the line by an Ajax defender. Thus both teams went into the locker rooms with a 0-2 halftime score.

In the second half, PSV played even harder. The team put Ajax under pressure and had a number of good opportunities to connect. Sami Bouhoudane was dangerous twice, Jayden Ettienne did not get his foot to the ball properly and the Ajax goalkeeper was alert to a shot from Nicolas Verkooijen. Ten minutes before time the Belgian midfielder did score. After a deflected corner the ball fell at his feet, and he calmly controlled it and sent it into the crossbar. PSV smelled that there was more to come and had an opportunity to equalize through Zaid el Bakkali, but the goalkeeper was able to turn his effort just before the goal line. At the other end, Ajax could have decided the game, but the post stood in the way. In injury time, the Eindhoven players had the biggest chance of the match: Robin van Duiven was set free in front of the goalkeeper with a through pass, but his effort rolled past the wrong side of the post.

An unfortunate defeat for PSV O13, where there was certainly more in it than a 1-2 defeat. Next Saturday the team plays its last league game of the season, when it visits its peers Sparta Rotterdam.

Line-up:
Daan van de Brande; Thijs Jansen, Michael Bresser (31/Zaid El Bakkali), Wessel Kuhn, Raf van de Riet; Joep Vermeulen, Nicolas Verkooijen, Samuel Gomez; Jayden Ettienne (50/Michael Bresser), Eus Waayers (31/Robin van Duiven), Julian van Esdonk (37/Sami Bouhoudane).