The last home game of the league was scheduled this weekend. A match "for the king's sake." Or, in this period of change of crowns, "for the king's sake". Because earlier this week Feyenoord won the championship (congratulations!) and dropping to third place was out of the question. The focus now is on the cup final against Ajax C1.
Opponent was the difficult to play Excelsior. A team where PSV got its first away win of the season in November. A team also that cleverly held champion Feyenoord to 2-2 in the previous round. Excelsior, in other words.
After having enjoyed lovely spring weather in recent days, both teams were less fortunate with the weather today. The temperature was about half that of 2-3 days earlier. Still, for playing football it was fine: occasional sunshine, little wind.
Despite there being nothing left to play for, PSV started keenly. Immediately in the early stages it created chances. After Jaëll Hattu was sent into the deep by Roel van Linschoten in the 3rd minute, his cross just did not reach Karim Bannani. Just two minutes later, shots by Dante Rigo, Tom Scheepers and Karim Bannani were either on or just over the goal in a span of less than 54 seconds. It could not be long before the opening goal would fall. And it did come. In the 12th minute, a corner by Dante Rigo landed right on the head of striker Joey Konings. He jumped so high above everything and everyone that he almost regretted not putting on sunscreen. Excelsior had only just kicked off after this goal, or they were able to repeat. Quick ball loss on their side allowed Dante to get in position and with a tight cross he gave Karim the opportunity to score the 2-0. Again assist Dante. Who later came close to scoring 3-0 himself, but his flaming shot was parried by the Rotterdam goalie.
At times PSV showed great football. The "tikkie-takkie football" regularly rolled over the mediocre turf. The crowd enjoyed both the weather and the game. In the 25th minute, they had reason to applaud again. A long kick by goalkeeper Mike van de Meulenhof was brilliantly controlled by Joey, who then put Ertem Bölükbas free in front of the goalkeeper with a subtle foot movement. With a thunderous kick the ball flew from Ertem's instep high into the ropes. The Excelsior goalkeeper only heard a whistling sound as he told later. As PSV missed a few more chances and Excelsior had a few sporadic pinpricks, both teams went to the dressing rooms with a 3-0 score.
After halftime, PSV continued. Again a long ball from Mike was the basis of a great opportunity. And again it was Joey who received the ball, and through some "abacadabra moves" on the back line, he laid the ball back to Karim. However, his shot was cleverly defused by the Rotterdam goalkeeper. Less than a minute later, PSV took the lead anyway. Lennerd Daneels soloed in to make it 4-0.
It did not stop there. PSV continued to dictate and create chances and, at times, play beautiful football. In the 47th minute it became 5-0 after Karim cleared the ball on the edge of the box and finished with a dry shot into the far corner. After this goal the level dropped a bit. PSV became more sloppy. But there were enough chances to extend the lead. This did not happen. Unfortunately goalkeeper Mike could not crown his mother's birthday with a clean sheet. Because after a carelessness in the back Excelsior could save the honor just before time. Because PSV did not take the opportunities they got, the match ended 5-1.
A more than deserved victory that possibly could and should have been even higher. With this victory PSV kept their unbeaten status at home, only drawing against Feyenoord. Next week the last league match against Willem II in Tilburg.
Mike van de Meulenhof; Roel van Linschoten, Kaan Tanriver, Tom Scheepers(c), Lassana Faye (50' Ymanuel Hurkmans); Dante Rigo, Lennerd Daneels, Jaëll Hattu; Ertem Bölükbas (52' Matthias Verreth), Joey Konings, Karim Bannani.