PSV Women lost the away match at PEC Zwolle 1-0 on Tuesday. Joyce Mijnheer gave PSV/FCE their first defeat after six unbeaten league matches with the only goal of the game.
Initiative by PSV/FC Eindhoven
In the first half, the chances were clearly for Nebojsa Vuckovic's team. However, Maran van Erp missed a great opportunity and Myrthe Moorrees saw her free kick hit the crossbar. So it remained 0-0 until halftime. After the break, Zwolle did what PSV/FCE had failed to do: score a goal. From the first PEC Zwolle chance it was a goal. Goalkeeper Angela Christ saved Mijnheer's first chance, but he took advantage of the rebound: 1-0.
Comeback Kika van Es
Coach Vuckovic then made three changes. He brought in Ibtissam Bouharat, Jeslynn Kuijpers and Kika van Es. For Van Es, this marked her comeback since her leg fracture she suffered last spring. She could have graced her return to the team with a goal, but she hit goalkeeper Olthuis. It remained 1-0 for PEC, who therefore caught up with number eleven Club Brugge, the next opponent of the PSV Women. They saw Telstar pass VVNH in the rankings through a 1-3 victory at OH Leuven.
A great moment for Kika van Es, who makes her comeback after long injury | © FOTOTB.NL
Vuckovic's reaction
The defeat caused frustration for head coach Nebojsa Vuckovic. "This is totally unnecessary. The lack of perception and fight has been the biggest problem. When you yourself miss six open chances and are not sharp in front of the goal, you get the lid on the nose."