Football United

By scoring his fifteenth goal of the campaign, Jefferson Farfán made sure of a narrow 1-0 win for PSV. The Peruvian superbly curled home a free kick past Heracles keeper Pieckenhagen twenty minutes from final time.

Just like in this season’s reverse encounter in Almelo that ended in a 1-1 draw, Heracles turned out to be nasty opponents. The team, coached by Peter Bosz, played compactly and did not concede any space, so that PSV could not breech the wall of stubborn and sturdy defenders. Heracles threatened twice, but during the other minutes it was a one-sided affair and it was one-way traffic for almost the full ninety minutes. Farfán once again made his mark by magnificently firing home a free kick from some 20 yards out on 72 minutes. So PSV grabbed another three points from their fifth league game in thirteen days and the Eindhoven outfit stay on top of the Dutch table.



The pace of the game was low in the first half. PSV found it hard to create chances, as Heracles hardly showed any attacking ideas. PSV were allowed to take initiatives, but as they were given hardly any space, the team coached by Guus Hiddink created no clear cut chances. Heracles threatened once, when PSV keeper Gomes failed to control a ball from a corner, but Michael Reiziger was in the right place to clear the ball. On the stroke of half time Farfán, blasted a free kick over the crossbar and Farfán, again, got an opportunity, but Heracles stopper Pieckenhagen did well to deny him. Moments before Cocu had an effort blocked.

PSV realized they should up a gear to break down the Heracles defence and started more flowing moves after the interval. Afellay (shot) and Vennegoor of Hesselink (header) created dangerous moments. Yet the deadlock was not broken until the 72nd minute. Farfán superbly struck a 20-yarder and Pieckenhagen was well beaten. The Peruvian has now taken his season’s tally to fifteen goals. Heracles had earned a golden opportunity to pull off a shock result moments before, but Sota Hirayama blasted the ball wide off the goal, when he was on a one-to-one with Gomes.

Half an hour before final time Hiddink handed the young American Lee Nguyen his debut. He got standing ovations for a few fine solo runs and created an opportunity in the final stages. The game was marred by an injury that Heracles substitute Kwame Quansah sustained. He made an awkward fall, following an aerial clash and had to be stretchered off the pitch. It is hard to reveal the exact nature of his injury, but it looked serious, as his head and neck had to be held.

Goal: Farfan 72´

Eredevisie

Pos. Team Pld Pts
1. PSV 24 60
2. AZ 24 55
3. Feyenoord 24 55
4. Heerenveen 24 40
5. Ajax 24 40

Source: psv.nl