The report

PSV was the dominant side for almost the entire first half. AZ had the better of the game in the second half. The 1-1 draw was therefore a fair result.

In the beginning of the match, both teams were still searching but PSV soon pulled the match towards them. PSV was sharp and won almost all the duels with conviction. In the seventh minute, PSV had the first chance of the match, but the ball was shot over. Three minutes later, the AZ goalie was able to turn a free kick by Sven Simons. PSV was dictating the match at that point. After fifteen minutes, AZ got into the match a little better, but PSV soon took control again. In the 24th minute, it deservedly took the lead. A corner by Sven Simons was tapped in by Iggy Houben, 0-1. PSV then pushed on and went in search of the second goal. In this phase of the match, PSV could have decided the match definitively, but it became sloppy in its play, so good opportunities could not be converted into real chances. The half-time score was therefore 0-1.

AZ put PSV under pressure from the kickoff of the second half. AZ had apparently changed their battle plan and PSV did not have an immediate answer to this. In the 43rd minute, this resulted in the equalizer. A cross from an AZ player was headed into the far corner, 1-1. One minute later, PSV had the first chance after the break, but the cross was cleared by an AZ defender. AZ was sharper and PSV was now losing most of the duels. As a result, the home club posed the most threat but AZ hardly created any chances. PSV had to rely on the sporadic breakdowns. In the 52nd minute, a shot from Iggy Houben was lightly touched by an AZ defender but the AZ goalie was just able to work the ball out of the goal. In the 64th minute, AZ had a good chance to take the lead but the ball was shot just wide. In the last five minutes, PSV went on the offensive but did not capitalize on the single opportunity and both teams had to settle for a draw.

Lineup: Kjell Peersman, Julian Kuijpers, Luc Netten, Yaël Gil y Muinos, Matteo Dams, Livano Comenencia, Iggy Houben, Sven Simons (53' Milan Govaers), Jesper Uneken (45' Shi-jon Martina), Chahid el Allachi, Ruben van Bommel (56' Jaivy Lourens).