With four goals and an assist, Daniëlle van de Donk was involved in every goal Friday night, when Club Brugge was dealt a 5-0 defeat. An unleashed Eindhoven formation presented the home crowd with a true spectacle in the last home game of the season.
Hat-trick Van de Donk
In addition to Van de Donk's impressive numbers, Nadia Coolen also played one of her best matches this season. Time after time she passed her direct opponent and gave three assists to Van de Donk. Already in the 2nd minute, Jeslynn Kuijpers could have opened the scoring for The Lighttown Ladies when she had a cross from Coolen to nick, but failed to do so. Daniëlle van de Donk was able to reach Coolen with a beautiful deep pass, who fired in two shots. In the 25th, 30th and 37th minutes it was Van de Donk who scored a flawless hat trick; twice on a cross from Coolen, once she did it all by herself. The 4-0 score at halftime was even a bit on the low side.
With these eleven, PSV/FC Eindhoven started the duel with Club Brugge | © FOTOTB.NL
Many chances
Immediately after halftime there were good chances for Ibtissam Bouharat (header just wide), twice Sabine Becx (shots from close range), Kuijpers (ball played just a bit too far forward) and Myrthe Moorrees (attempt from 50 meters was turned into a corner by the goalkeeper). The tight defense with Vera Egelmeers and Nadja Pfeiffer let down a stitch once when Amber de Priester produced a good shot, but could rely on the attentive goalie Angela Christ, who caught the shot deftly. Laura Strik replaced the slightly injured Corine Peels in the 57th minute, and after long injury Kika van Es made her return to the main field of De Herdgang. In the 68th minute the same recipe followed as in the first half; Coolen delivered the cross, Van de Donk tapped in easily: 5-0. Sylke Calleeuw got playing time in the 81st minute when she replaced Kuijpers, but she did not manage to extend the score.
Last away game
Next week the last also toughest game of the season awaits when PSV/FC Eindhoven take on frontrunners Standard Liege, with FC Twente two points behind in the chase. It promises to be an exciting denouement of the BeNe League. FC Twente previously became champions of the Netherlands.