Football College
On this Saturday a great poster PSV D3 - Schalke 04 U11. Always exciting to see how the D3 compares to the youth of Schalke. In the preview along the line at the E1, Dick expected a 1-3 final score. "Surely that Schalke will be further ahead as a team and physically," Dick expected. Of course, another handy tactic so you always have something: either your prediction comes true, or you saw a good match. I mumbled something, not speaking out is an even more conservative tactic of course; it stuck to: "that could very well be the case".
Dick was very wrong (and so was I); today we were presented with a demonstration of high school football, which delighted the (always critical) parents and other spectators for 3 halves - well, 3 thirds then. The technical feats succeeded each other; the ball went around and the Schalke players became despondent. Nice example of this was a tiptop that Robin executed in a full own penalty area after which he calmly defended the ball further.
Today everything was top notch. The defense stood like a house, the midfield fumbled (I had to ask several times who stood where in midfield, but that didn't matter so much), and the attack was nicely launched time and time again and brought up-and-coming players into good position.
From the kickoff the D3 was fierce. Possibly the beating by the D2 had given extra energy for a revenge. Jordan is sharp and fast on the right. He is launched beautifully and passes beautifully to Cody, who shoots over with a half volley. In the first half, Schalke still had a few breakaways, which the PSV defense had to intervene on, but they did so skilfully. Baggio, as a back like Manolev, moves forward but shoots just over. Steven shoots once more in front and over from a corner kick. The attacks were continuous but the finishing was not enough, also due to good defense by Schalke. So it is still 0-0 at halftime.
Will the storm subside for PSV? Not at all, the D3 players continue with the same energy to score that first goal. Schalke can now only hold back, but then Robin knows a wonderful way to break the spell. He catches a deflected ball on his chest, feints and shoots the ball from 20 meters high and hard into the goal. 1-0. Then from the left via a nice action by Steven, the ball reaches Roland who just cannot get his foot on the ball.
Cody was also constantly threatening and came up from the left, shooting with a beautiful curve but the ball grazed the outside of the post and crossbar. Moments later Cody again, on the crossbar. Cody played a wonderful game today but all the lucky players had stayed home today because the ball just didn't go in for Cody today. A scarce Schalke attack but PSV breaks out quickly, Robin passes to the screaming Bjorn. He pulls up and slides the ball under the goalkeeper. A deserved 2-0. Rest.
Colin had little to add at halftime today. It stood like a house. The D3 continues again and then Schalke's defense succumbs. The tipper makes a mistake and Robin is able to notch his second with a nice outside turning shot. Occasional dropouts from Schalke, but Baggio and Ruud (our all-rounder today at left back) are constantly in front of their man and otherwise Luc and Armando calmly take over. Jordan is then also able to score his deserved goal after a Schalke defensive error.
It is and remains 4-0 where the result could have been much higher. It was a pleasure to see the D3 play today. We are looking forward to the next match where the injured James and Lars can hopefully play again!
Report with thanks to Hans Bosma