The encounter between Young PSV and Nijmegen ended in a draw. Peter Uneken's team has to settle for a point at home.
Energy from Eindhoven
It took Psv U21 just two minutes to become dangerous in the first half. Ismael Saibari curled a shot cleverly into the far corner, almost surprising the Nijmegen goalkeeper. From the ensuing corner kick, Timan was almost reached for a close-range chance but the danger was quickly gone. Later, it was Kristófer Kristinsson who was close to scoring the opening goal when he was almost reached by a cross from Richy Ledezma. However, NEC goalkeeper Norbert Alblas managed to intercept. Two minutes later it was another clever ball from Ledezma that brought the danger, this time a cross to Timan where Alblas again intervened. With fluent and attacking football, the Eindhoven team was regularly a major threat to the Gelderland defense. The Nijmegen players mainly played on the counter. NEC's first major danger came from this, but a shot by the away team ended up on the post. A goal for Young PSV hung in the air for a long time, but just before halftime it finally came. From the rebound of Damian Timan, Kristinsson could easily score. Psv U21 went into the break with a deserved lead.
Late goal
Just after halftime NEC got off to a quick start. However, a big chance for the Nijmegen side was blocked by Mees Kreekels, who took position and cleared the ball off the line. Ten minutes into the second half, Young PSV came close to doubling the score. Cheick Touré came close to a header chance from a Ledezma cross. Saibari caught the missed cross and put it right back into the sixteen-meter area, but there was no finish. The visitors got better into the match but Young PSV held their own. A good reflex by Maxime Delanghe from close range kept the lead intact. With fifteen minutes to go, the danger returned from the Eindhoven side. Saibari escaped the Nijmegen defense but failed to hit a shot from a difficult angle. Shortly after, a shooting chance by Andrew Mendonca went over the goal. Just before the end, the game was almost decided. A clever ball from Touré allowed Mendonca to hit a cross to Saibari, but his rushed effort went over the goal. Another goal fell before the end of the match, but this time at the other end. NEC managed to work a rebound behind Maxime Delanghe, making the score equal again. Both teams remained combative, but no final goal came.
Line-up Psv U21
Delanghe; Sambo, Kreekels, De Haas, Vos (64' Felipe); Kjølø, Schoonbrood (74' Matuta), Ledezma; Timan (74' Mendonca), Kristinsson (45' Touré), Saibari