PSV passes test

That the O16 had already shown during the course of the season that football technically is fine. How a group deals with setbacks is an entirely different matter. In the home game against PEC Zwolle last Saturday, the team proved resilient and coped with the absence of a good number of players due to injury and suspensions seemingly effortlessly.

With four players from the O15 in the squad, including one in the starting lineup, PSV got off to a flying start. In the early stages, occasional back Amin began a solo that started on his own half and could only be stopped in Zwolle's penalty area. With a handball, Amin claimed, which however was not (so) seen by the well-managing referee. In the minutes that followed, striker Fode threw off all the frustrations of months of injury with two great moves that gave PSV a comfortable 2-0 lead within five minutes. In the 22nd minute, he gained possession of the ball to the left of the box, outplayed an opponent and as he came inside, he shot the ball hard into the far corner from the edge of the box, 1-0. A few minutes later, with a good move inside the penalty area, he enabled the free-standing Jeremy in front of goal to shoot the 2-0 at his leisure.

The first big chance in the second half was for Zwolle. In the 55th minute the ball came suddenly free at the feet of a player in an attack, but he hastily shot just wide. In the 59th minute, however, Mathijs shot the game into the lock for good. After Jeremy kept the ball in with a good move, he entered the penalty area and played the ball to Mathijs, who was completely free in front of the goal. Mathijs only had to choose a corner, 0-3. Another win for the O16, who have already qualified for the champion's pool in the second half of the competition. After a week off, the home game against FC Twente is on the schedule and then the away game against Ajax, which is still in the lead with just one point ahead of PSV.

Setup: Jurre Schaafsma; Thomas Cox ('41 Mylian Jimenez) - Nigel Lonwijk (c) ('70 Jenson Seelt) - Alberto Puts - Amin Doudah; Dylan Hopman ('19 Manu Matuta) - Mathijs Tielemans - Kees van Lindert; Milan Beumer - Fode Fofana ('61 Milan van de Riet) - Jeremy Antonisse.