A sunny autumn match

Today's opponent, like PSV, is among the better midfielders of our "series. With seven points from five games, PSV is just slightly better off than NEC/FC Oss, which has so far taken six points from four games. Today the Oss team of NEC/FC Oss entered the game consisting mainly of 1998'rs. These ingredients could make for an exciting game of football. Under a lovely autumn sun, overlooking trees colored in autumn colors, the match started where in the first half none of that turned out to be true. PSV was significantly better, although NEC/FC Oss showed more care in the game.
Already after 43 seconds it was a goal. Cody picked up the ball just past his own (!) 16-meter area and rushed three-quarters of the way across the field to shoot in impeccably. An applause-earning, neatly finished action!
Soon after, Jordan showed his qualities as a right back. With an inimitable move (whose possible name I don't know) he played himself free to give a perfect depth pass to the right forward Ruud. The latter did not hesitate for a moment and, in a flowing movement, immediately crossed the ball to Cody. With the intervention of a defender, it seemed an impossible task to score. But Cody showed his perseverance and agility and scored his second goal of the day.
Lo and behold, PSV had set the tone for the match. How would the opponent react to this?
Well, with the first real attack! The NEC/FC Oss forwards had so far, through a perfect defense of James, Jordan, Armando and Luc, failed to bring any danger in front of goal. Arne had had only one catch and one free kick to deal with. Now they bypassed our defense with seeming ease and took merciless advantage of a mistake: 2-1.
After about 15 minutes of play, Cody secured the lead and cashed in on his hat trick. He picked up the ball from a scrimmage, passed two players by making a move to the right and scored in the left corner. Until halftime it was still enjoying a dynamic PSV in which Robin stood out by having a fluent tip-in move immediately followed by a strong distance shot that the goalkeeper parried with his fingertips. Shortly before, as a substitute, he also made a name for himself by shooting a long-distance shot just wide.
The one-two from Lars (coming back strongly after his injury) and Ruud was also very good. Unfortunately it ended with an offside whistle. Just before half time the same Ruud was played free in front of the goal, but he tapped the ball just a bit too hard in front of him for NEC/FC Oss to intercept.
PSV started the second half with great ease. Initially, NEC/FC Oss still had to cave in. Among others with Björn, who with his fiery red shoes added power to his distance shot and then delivered one beautiful cross after another, which unfortunately was not responded to attentively enough. Lars also made his presence felt when Cody's cross went dangerously wide of the goalposts.
Still, the opponent managed to find themselves and the wall of Armando and James was broken through. Stan, however, performed flawlessly and blocked the shot with a brilliant dive. But the experience was a bit off for PSV and the defense had to perform more and more. There Armando stood out with his defensive skills by superbly blocking a breakthrough player. The rolling ball was a prey for Stan. Luc also kept the fast, very strong playing number ten in check and mostly managed to parry his flowing passes. But a second counter goal was in the air and was cashed in by a free kick just outside the 16. The first attempt, incidentally a high catch for Stan, was whistled off and on replay the opponent remembered that the goal is just too high for a D3 player: 3-2. Then the doomsday scenario of a draw in the final minutes comes to mind for many and that should not happen! Fortunately, playing time was only one minute remaining which was also for PSV. Roland was unfairly floored and tried to shoot in the ensuing free kick just outside the 16 (with Cristiano Ronaldo's help), but the goalkeeper was ahead of him.
All in all, an exciting ending with an opponent that was getting better and better at the game, so PSV seemed to be playing against themselves. And that was probably the reason why our boys left the field a bit depressed. The victory was there, but the second half did not show the desired, dynamic play of the first half. Nevertheless, with such a game start, Coach Williamson can be more than satisfied!

Report courtesy of Ank Gakpo- van Bommel