Warm up again
After three weeks of vacation with snow and ice, this week it was football again that came first. With a thaw attack having set in yesterday, today it was again a bit more pleasant for the boys to play football (although just above 0, everything is relative). The D3 got to make its warm-up at the hospitable Nec in Nijmegen where the Nec/Oss combination was the opponent. All those football combinations nowadays does not make it any easier for the followers by the way. They no longer play against one club, but against combinations, which in turn put two teams of the two separate clubs on the mat where they play one half each. The KNVB has thought this through, so it must be good for Dutch football.
The boys played on a beautiful mat, which turned out to be rather slippery; the boys regularly slipped but it was easy to play on. The supporters could take a seat on an elevation next to the field that had been arranged by Nec by pushing the snow on the field to the side. Wonderful sight, but I must say that by the time the referee blew off the cold had risen to the groin. Fortunately no irreparable damage sustained.
Oss O11 - PSV D3
The first match against the under 11 of Oss. PSV is on top in this match, where Oss also remains dangerous but most chances are for PSV. In the beginning of the match, the goalkeeper of Oss makes an excellent save on goals by Cody, Robin and Roland. An Oss supporter already concludes that the keeper will not be able to pass today (unfortunately for PSV). He has not yet spoken his words or Steven can slide in after a nice action by Cody who lays the ball ready for passing from the back line. The goalkeeper couldn't do anything about it.
PSV plays daringly forward, and it strikes me that the defenders are more in front of their man than behind him, and that they mainly play one on one. Luc is the lock on the door today and he plays sovereign all day; calmly he intervenes time and time again in time and manages to create beautiful forward passages. With all those PSV forwards, Oss is getting very busy in front. Also because our flanks also like to have the ball in the goal and are eager to enter the enemy penalty area. Colin coaches from the sideline "make it big" but the boys don't let themselves be so easily denied the direct path to goal; it does have some effect but it still remains too busy in the middle.
Roland, the quicksilver, agile striker, managed to find a way through: two nice moves and a low shot left the goalkeeper without a chance for the second time, 0-2. Still the 3-0 when Hus crossed nicely to Raf and via the keeper the ball ended up with Cody who was able to tap in the 3-0. Halftime, well mini match over.
Nec O11 - PSV D3
Where the first game PSV was stronger than their opponent, the second game was more even with Nec a bit more on the half of PSV but not many chances for PSV. There was a lot of fight by all players in this match, one nasty duel after another and the referee had trouble keeping the tempers calm. Which was not entirely successful as Hus was able to look to the side after being warned several times and a Nec player also let himself go and was allowed to rest earlier.
Raf gets a chance at the beginning of the match after a through pass from Bjorn but lobs the ball over the goal. Nec appears dangerous near the goal a few more times but Arne doesn't really have to make a real parade either. PSV's defense stands like a house with Armando and Jordan on the flanks, and then it is not easy to get anything. A lot of play in the middle but even such a game can be particularly attractive, today proved. The enthusiasm of all the players was wonderful to see and they fought for a victory.
A 0-0 final score was still the logical result. Nec celebrated this as a victory, not strange of course because the D3 gets good results against 1 year older opponents in the Southern league. But Oss and Nec Under 11 also proved to be excellent teams today.
Report with thanks to Hans Bosma