PSV started the league on Saturday with a very creditable match against Sparta. In Rotterdam, Kristof Aelbrecht's very young team, due to all the ups and downs with an average age of only 14, managed a draw against the physically strong Rotterdammers, although it still had some great opportunities in the closing stages to take the full win.

PSV started the match excellently. Already in the 5th minute the team took the lead when striker Joel Piroe was able to advance towards the penalty area after a good push by Gaetan Bosiers on the left and placed the ball in the far corner. Sparta only became dangerous for the first time after more than a quarter of an hour when the ball was shot just over at the far post from a free kick half volley. However, it would take until injury time of the first half for the Rotterdams to come alongside. After a free kick came back into the field via the Eindhoven wall, a Spartan shot it from 18 meters suddenly at the goal of Youri Roulaux, who saw the ball disappear into the right corner.

Although the team went into halftime with that huge disappointment, the 2nd half also showed a very combative PSV that stood up well despite the age difference and the physical disadvantage. Indeed the best chances to decide the match were for PSV. Sparta came really close to Youri Roulaux only once in the 2nd half, who saved a close-range effort with his foot after a cross from the left. The action that most deserved to be crowned with a goal was by left striker Joep Hakkens, who took a ball that fell at his feet about 20 meters from the goal and saw it go just a few centimeters wide of the Sparta goal. The biggest chance for the winning goal, however, was for substitute Gregory Kuisch, who got the ball in the penalty area on the right just before time, did not hesitate for a second and lashed in, but saw his shot go just wide.

A good match under all circumstances and a good result for PSV.

Youri Roulaux; Tijn Daverveld - Jordan Teze - Koen Oostenbrink - Lars Dickens; Leandro Fernandes - Gaetan Bosiers - Davy van den Berg ('66 Evert Linthorst); Yasin Aalillou ('48 Gregory Kuisch) - Joel Piroe - Joep Hakkens ('78 Benjamin Kailie).

On the bench not substituted: Kyan van Dorp
Yellow card: Joel Piroe (kicking opponent)