Goliath beats the giant; that is a bit the image that lingered after the useful Wednesday evening practice match against Spijkenisse D1. PSV had a lot of trouble with the physical strength of Spijkenisse with some players literally 1.5 heads taller than Koen. And Spijkenisse struggled to finish off a number of, especially in the first half, promising balls effectively. A goal by Mats Grotenbreg in the second half eventually brought victory for Twan Scheepers' men, and given the physical difference it was well deserved.
The first half was Wednesday night for Spijkenisse. Already after two minutes of play, Ties van den Eijnde cleared a ball off the line and Aaron van Engelen had to throw himself in the path of a shot. It takes a while before PSV gets some small chances through Joey Konings, Mink Peeters and Zohair Labyad. However, it is never dangerous because Spijkenisse is well on top and does not allow the D2 to play football. Until the seventeenth minute nothing happens at all, then Spijkenisse gets an excellent opportunity for which Aaron is again well placed. The first real chance for PSV (playing without the injured Roel van Linschoten) came from Matthias Verreth who, after a header from Joey, was allowed to head towards the Spijkenisse goal. His shot was well deflected, as it was several times in the remainder of the first half.
After the break, PSV played more fiercely. After 5 minutes a combination between Mink, Joey and Matthias could have done with more, but at least the drive is there. Less than half a minute later Matthias gets a very good chance when he gets rid of his direct opponent. His shot on goal is well parried by the Spijkenisse goalkeeper. The game then starts to become a real contest, because at the other end Spijkenisse is very close to a goal twice. However, the finishing is lacking and in addition, Koen Vos, Jeroen Swinkels, Ymanuel Hurkmans and Twan Demin are able to intervene a few times in time before it becomes really dangerous. In the thirteenth minute, Ieke Scheerhoorn is again very good at a dangerous breakout by Spijkenisse; a minute later, it is Mats Grotenbreg who, at the other end, almost sees a superb stick rewarded with a goal. PSV then has a strong phase with as many as four chances and chances in two minutes from Mats, Matthias, Dante Rigo and Ertem Bölükbas. Finally after 20 minutes of football the long-awaited goal falls. Mats pushed forward on the left and outsmarted the Spijkenisse goalie with a nice flat shot that sailed over him: 1-0. PSV continued to dominate. Zohair shot into the wall from a free kick, Mink sent Mats deep again and Mats saw a ball intended as a cross go wide. Ties also gets to head at the goal once more from a corner.
Once again a great victory over a strong opponent, in which PSV showed above all not to be intimidated by a physically stronger team. We will face teams like Spijkenisse more often in the coming competition and then it is good to know that we can cope with them.