After a practice game in Belgium (OH Leuven, 0-10 win) and a mega tournament in South Korea (2nd place) it was now time to see how our men from the D1 (after digesting a huge jet lag) were doing in the Herdgang's own practice complex.
Opposing team was VVV from Venlo, with some familiar faces in attendance. Lars Joosten (Joost for the friends) and Bjorn Bastiaans alias Buskruit Bjorn had given the studs of the football shoes an extra twist and secretly hoped to come and beat PSV at home. And ... they almost succeeded.
At a high free kick from VVV, Arne intervened, boxed the ball away, but unfortunately not far enough, the ball fell into the feet of the fast and well-working striker, and he popped in without hesitation. 0-1. A bit of a scare? The PSV supporters perhaps, but the boys were not really impressed.
Then a VVV corner kick got stuck in the penalty area and was just knocked away. The ball gets to Robin and he launches Cody.
Lars Joosten's tackle is good, but just not good enough. Cody stays in possession of the ball and lobs delightfully over the visiting goalkeeper. 1-1.
From then on, PSV takes control.
From a clever combination of James, Cody and Justin the second goal falls, but is disallowed due to offside.
Cody and Ruud then try with a blast from the second line but just a bit too soft.
Jordan's long Rush through the axis of the field is stopped just before the sixteen. Nice effort.
On a fine cross from James, Cody taps the ball just over goal. Chances, but no chances.

The halftime score (1-1) is a good representation of two teams that have kept each other in balance until then.

After the break, PSV was better and VVV less good. The visitors barely got past the halfway line.
Immediately after the break a beautiful pass from Ruud to James, his first shot was blocked by the goalkeeper, and after attempts by Cody and Justin the ball went to James again, and now he scored. 2-1.
A shot by Cody is saved by the VVV goalkeeper. Another chance (Ruud's cross) by Cody and he scores. But again offside.
When Justin passes to Cody, he passes the goalkeeper in one move and shoots from a sharp angle. 3-1.
A corner kick by Huseyin is headed just wide by Jordan. Werkmier Baggio in the middle also plays a good game, recuperating balls like a full-fledged Van Bommel. But meanwhile it is only 3-1. On yet another Steven Bosma corner kick, the VVV goalkeeper is taken to task a few more times but on Steven's header he has no recourse. But. again offside apparently. (The third disallowed goal).
And whatever VVV tried, at the back everything was closed, there was no way through.
One of the home team's last efforts could also count. Edge of offside Cody, Ruud follows well and is rewarded by Cody with an assist.
Ruud takes the gift in thanks and taps in the 4-1.
Books closed for VVV and PSV one step closer to the cup.

Final score PSV D1 - VVV venlo 4-1.

Report with thanks to Joel Lekens