Football United

By scoring three goals in a fifteen minute second half spell PSV notched a confident win over sc Heerenveen. Before the break it was a low-key affair, but in the second half PSV took command. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored a fine double and took his season’s tally to six. The PSV striker is now the Holland Casino Eredivisie top scorer and PSV have maintained their top position in the table.

PSV did not have a bright start to a demanding week, in which they play three home games, including the Champions League tie against Panathinaikos. In the first half the hosts found it hard to cope with the match plan of the Frisian side that was aimed at disorganizing the passing game of the Eindhoven team. Referee Roelof Luinge lived up to the reputation he has among players and fans and had to suffer some verbal abuse. In the second forty-five minutes the game was changed completely, when PSV netted four goals from the five opportunities they created.

In the opening stages of the game the two teams sounded each other out, produced some sloppy passes and attempted to play attacking football. Actually Heerenveen were more threatening than PSV and created some chances. The hosts were dealt two heavy blows when both André Ooijer and Alex limped off the pitch within twenty-five minutes, after they had sustained injuries. Ahead of the Panathinaikos clash on Wednesday the news that Ooijer will not be able to make an appearance came as a shock.

PSV were also upset by some controversial decision of Roelof Luinge. On the verge of half time, though, the referee gave Tomas Rzasa his marching orders, following his second yellow card. Rzasa had been shown yellow for a foul on Ji-Sung Park, and he was dismissed for handling the ball.



When sc Heerenveen were reduced to ten men, the game was over in no time. The Frisians, who had organized a compact defence in the first half, were no match for PSV that moved up a gear and were not distracted by the referee any more. Theo Lucius, who had come on to replace Alex, broke the deadlock by slotting home the opener, after PSV captain had set him up; 1-0. Eight minutes after the opening goal Jefferson Farfán doubled the advantage. The young Peruvian winger fired home the rebound from a corner; 2-0. Not much later Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink added a third goal. The tall striker superbly controlled a long Phillip Cocu pass and although two defenders tried to thwart his effort, he blasted home the most beautiful goal of the night; 3-0.
PSV had killed off the game in a business-like way. The Eindhoven side dominated proceedings and the Frisians were knocked out. On 75 Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink scored his second goal; he rounded his marker and this time he used his left foot, following a clever Lucius dummy; 4-0. Anyone who is still doubts his technical skills should be ashamed.

In four days’ time PSV take on Panathinaikos in a crucial Champions League tie and next Saturday FC Groningen will travel to Eindhoven.

Goals: 49 Lucius, 57 Farfán, 63 Vennegoor of Hesselink, 74 Vennegoor of Hesselink

Source: PSV.nl