Football United

For the eighth season in a row PSV will take part in the prestigious head tournament of the Champions League. In the Eindhoven Philips Stadium they cruised to a comfortable 5-0 win over Red Star Belgrade, by which they made amends for the 3-2 loss they suffered a fortnight ago in the first leg.

Ahead of the crucial qualifying game, PSV head coach Guus Hiddink was wary of the counter attacks and the dangerous set pieces of Red Star, for which PSV paid a high price by conceding a few goals in the first leg. Tonight, however, they experienced no problems and they crushed the Serbs, as if they were Holland Casino Eredivisie minnows. After PSV enjoyed emphatic league wins over RBC and AZ, they scored another five goals, so that they took their season’s tally to as many as fifteen goals from three games, an astonishingly high number. PSV were never in danger; actually they played power play for the full 90 minutes and Red Star were sent home empty-handed.

Just like two weeks ago in Belgrade, PSV had a dream start. On eight minutes Ji-Sung Park was fouled in the area; the strict Russian referee Ivanov did not hesitate and PSV had earned a penalty. Mark van Bommel converted from the spot and keeper Disljenkovic had no chance, when the PSV captain fired a low shot into the left corner. PSV had soon achieved their fist aim: an early goal and a score that would all but ensure qualification to the head tournament.

Red Star could not produce any dangerous counter attacks and they never threatened with their notorious set pieces. PSV surged forwards and after thirty minutes Red Star were reduced to only ten men, when Milan Bisevac was shown a red card, after he had pushed down DaMarcus Beasley, who was clean on his way to the goal. Within a few minutes PSV took advantage of the new situation. Vogel superbly set up Park. The South Korean, who played an excellent game, turned provider for Beasley, who tapped home from close range. In this way the American international winger got square with the terms of abuse shouted at him two weeks ago in Belgrade. Nearly thirty thousand spectators thought it was high time to start the celebrations. PSV kept on attacking and started many a well worked move; the visitors could not impress in the first half.



In the second half PSV did not cool off. After a fine André Ooijer solo run, Van Bommel again clinically finished; 3-0. Just two minutes later PSV finished off their opponents. Young-Pyo Lee delivered a cross from the left, Beasley headed the ball on and John de Jong was in the right place to add another goal; 4-0. PSV obviously had nothing to fear from Red Star anymore, who, reduced to ten men, had no voice in things. PSV even found the net for the fifth time. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink opened his European scoring account, after he had headed home another Lee centre; 5-0.

In the break a fond farewell was said to Kevin Hofland and Mateja Kezman, who had travelled to Eindhoven for the occasion. PSV Chairman Harry van Raaij, who was present for the last time in his capacity as Chairman, made a short speech and both players addressed their fans, who rewarded them with a standing ovation, while the players were doing their final lap of honour.

The draw for the UEFA Champions League head tournament will take place in Monaco on Thursday at 16.00 hrs.

Goals: 8 Van Bommel , 32 Beasley , 56 Van Bommel , 57 John de Jong , 80 Vennegoor of Hesselink

Source: PSV.nl