Three amateur teams and two Eredivisie teams have already fallen victim to the cup success of Young PSV Women. Now coach Mark den Brok and his ladies face a stiff challenge in the semifinals. Still, he sees opportunities.
Last year you were champions of the pledge competition. How was that?
"That we became champions is good for the club, good for the training program and shows where we are. This year we are competing with Ajax for the title again. First and foremost, developing the players is our main objective. We have to make the step to PSV Women as small as possible. Therefore, I hope that the resistance will increase in the coming years so that our talents learn even more."
What was your expectation beforehand for the cup tournament?
"That we would finish in the first sixteen after eliminating a number of amateur teams. Beforehand, you don't expect to then knock out two Eredivisie teams as well."
With what feeling did you head toward Telstar?
"Knowing that we would certainly not be hopeless. We wanted to play for possession and we knew there would be chances from that. So it happened. Earlier in the cup tournament we learned to win against RKSV Nuenen, Ter Leede and FC Rijnvogels. That came in handy against Telstar."
"They won't underestimate us. We have enforced that by now."
Did you have that same premonition against VV Alkmaar?
"Because of the difference in age, we knew that physically we were not of the same level as them. Our tactical plan came off perfectly in the first half. Only we forgot to reward ourselves. At halftime they then made some changes that made it harder for us. We were able to adapt and pulled out a victory. I can't help but say afterwards that we deservedly won both games."
How can a Youth team rightly win against two Eredivisionists?
"It says something about the training program we facilitate together with Brabantsport. In addition, we played with fun and the will to win. They were afraid to lose. You noticed that during those matches."
Now the semifinal against national champions FC Twente awaits. That's a team of a different order. How will you go into that match?
"It's a great poster for our players to show themselves. We have to have a lot of respect for the opponent. They will be lord and master. As always, we are going to try to take advantage of our strengths. We will base the tactical battle plan on that. We have no guarantees, but there is a belief that we are not completely hopeless."
It worked out years ago, right?
"That's right. Then we eliminated FC Twente in the cup with the CTO team - which now no longer exists. It shows that in cup football nothing is impossible. They won't underestimate us. We have now enforced that."
