PSV failed to win the fourth game in the championship pool. Although the Eindhoveners managed to take the lead twice in the first half, Ajax made the difference in the second half.
Resilient PSV
More than 1,200 spectators saw a spectacular first half. Both teams started the game eagerly, which led to many chances back and forth. PSV was the first to take advantage. After a well played attack the ball bounced to the feet of Kristina Erman. The defender did not hesitate for a moment and shot the ball hard behind Ajax goalkeeper Lize Kop. Not much later Ajax also became dangerous and Lucie Akkerman narrowly managed to get the ball off the line. However, this was a harbinger of things to come. In the 16th minute Stefanie van der Gragt headed in the 1-1 draw from a sharp free kick. PSV showed plenty of willpower as two minutes later Vanity Lewerissa made it 2-1 after another fine attack. Both PSV and Ajax wanted more. In the remaining 25 minutes of the first half, two goals by the Amsterdammers were disallowed for offside and Nadia Coolen shot from close range against the inside of the post.
Defeated after halftime
In the second half, it was clear from the first moment that Ajax was eager to get back on the bus with a good result. Until the 60th minute the team held their ground with a few more opportunities for Coolen and Jeslynn Kuipers. However, after an hour of play, Ajax was awarded a free kick, which was shot in by Merel van Dongen. Ajax continued to chase and thanks in part to Miller, PSV kept the tie on the board. Between the 70th and 80th minutes, the pitch began to empty and Inessa Kaagman (2x) and Desiree van Lunteren managed to score. The final chord was for substitute Linda Bakker who put the final score on the board with a hard shot: 2-6.
Setup:
Miller, Akkerman ('80 Rácz), Nouwen, Sanders, Erman ('75 Susanna), van Schijndel, Yüceil, Kuijpers, Witteman, Lewerissa ('83 Koopmans), Coolen.