thank you for the great year
By: j |
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With the season now complete, I wish to thank everyone who visited over the last ten months when I started writing this blog.
After considerable thought and debate this will serve as my final post on the PSV blog. While I have enjoyed the experience immensely from being a part of The Offside team and interacting with the readers, the time as come to call it a day.
I have spent much of my adult life in this extraordinary sport, coaching and later on as they flecks of gray appeared, written of it. I have had the pleasure to travel far and wide and within the sport and after years of thought, blessed with the true lesson that the beautiful game provides. Locked within this simple round ball, with its curious bounces, twists and turns is a magic that breaks down boundaries and makes us a better people. I am hopeful for each word you have read over my posts that through it all, somehow that message bled through.
If you care to apply for this blog please contact Daryl with The Offside (click here) after reviewing the guidelines at www.theoffside.com/bloggers.
There is a great deal to be said but sadly not enough time to say it. While my words will likely never be sufficient, I wish you all well the very best and as always I leave in faith.
Category: PSV Team News
a fitting end
By: j | Add Comments
The Dwight Lodeweges era as PSV manager came to a brilliant conclusion as his side defeated Willem II 3-0 in final match of the Eredivisie campaign. The result leaves PSV in fourth place and earns them a berth in the Europa League.
In a match played for pride PSV withstood earlier threats from their hosts to take a lead three minutes before the hour as Swedish international Ola Toivonen found the back of the net after a one-two with Balázs Dzsudzsák. PSV began to assert itself but despite the momentum could not extend the advantage before the break. Continuing to build after the re-start PSV with Balázs Dzsudzsák opportunistically turning in Nordin Amrabat’s cross from the right. Dwight Lodeweges immediately called upon Danny Koevermans and sixteen minutes later the veteran striker struck the final goal of the year for PSV via Erik Pieters and Balázs Dzsudzsák ground work. Time ticked down, the result not in doubt and with five minutes remaining Jason Čulina walked off the pitch for the final time with PSV with seventeen year-old Funso Ojo making his first appearance. It was in many ways a fitting conclusion to the year because like young Mr. Ojo, the promise of the PSV’s future is great.
Category: PSV Team NewsPSV v Willem II preview
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In Dwight Lodeweges swansong as PSV manager, his side faces Willem II as the Eredivisie comes to a conclusion. Through the ups and downs of the campaign, the arrival of Mr. Lodeweges has been a bright light serving the club so very well. With a two point lead over Heerenveen, a victory is important and equally should slip up against Twente, PSV can grab third-place.
Gracious in his press match press conference, the present PSV leader said:
“We will end the season on a high if we leapfrog Ajax. We faced severe problems three months ago but we are happy we’ve got our season back on track. We hope to end the season on a high. Wouldn’t it be a great achievement if we managed to leapfrog Ajax on the last match day? We faced a tall task overtaking sc Heerenveen, Ajax and FC Twente. We have meanwhile climbed into fourth spot and we still have a chance of finishing the season in third place. We’ve come from a long way and I’m happy with the progress we’ve been making the past three months.”
PSV will miss Ibrahim Afellay due to injury along with Edison Méndez and Danko Lazovic to suspension and have doubts of the availability of Otman Bakkal and Ola Toivonen.
Category: PSV Team Newsdisappointing final match-day at Phillips Stadion
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PSV’s farewell day at Phillips Stadion for Dwight Lodeweges, Jason Culina and Jan Wouters ended in disappointment as they played N.E.C. to a 1-1 draw.
Received well by a packed Philips Stadion Dwight Lodeweges, Jason Culina and Jan Wouters were honoured for their service to the club. Sadly the last moments of the match were not befitting of the day and PSV gave away the three points. The opening forty-five minutes was marked with well managed midfield play and whilst PSV had a series of notable scoring chances they could find the back of the net. However the host took the lead before the hour when Milano Koenders was adjudged a penalty after fouling Danko Lazović in the area. The Serbian international stepped-up and pounded the ball into the back of the net giving PSV the 1-0 lead yet in his celebration, took his shirt off and naturally received a booking. The negative turn of events wasn’t limited there as six minutes later he received his second booking for a handball and now PSV was playing a man down. The complexion of the match had definitely changed and with ten minutes remaining, discipline was long forgotten as Edison Méndez received a deserved red-card for a positively dreadful challenge of Lasse Schøne. Try as they may to fend off N.E.C., Tim Janssen found the equalizer deep into added-time.
Category: PSV Team NewsPSV presses on for European spot
By: j | 1 Comment
PSV added their fourth successive victory, upending Heracles Almelo 2-0 to bring them to fourth in the table.
The victory was far from an easy for PSV as the host side, fighting to avoid relegation, initiated the early attacks. Midway of the half PSV found its opening goal coming off a lightning fast counter with Balázs Dzsudzsák receiving a long ball down the left flank. The Hungarian international pulled Heracles defender Birger Maertens over only to send the ball to Ola Toivonen on the right. Coming-in free on veteran ‘keeper Martin Pieckenhagen, his attempt was denied but the rebound came straight back to the young striker who then passed the ball back to Balázs Dzsudzsák in front of the open goal for a 1-0 lead. After coming close to squaring up the match PSV took advantage of a poor clearance by Heracles to launch a quick counter-strike resulting in Danny Koevermans turning in a rebound of Balázs Dzsudzsák drive to bring the match to a 2-0 conclusion.
PSV returns to action next Sunday against N.E.C. in their final home match of the year.
Category: PSV Team NewsPSV humbles Ajax 6-2
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While the Dwight Lodeweges-led PSV era is coming to a close, his curriculum vitae will include the brilliant 6-2 defeat of Ajax at Philips Stadion on Sunday evening. The victory edges the defending champions back into a berth for European football and will leave many wondering how things could have been different under a full year of Dwight Lodeweges leadership.
After Timmy Simons could not convert from the spot nineteen minutes in, Edison Méndez started the celebration midway of the half as he sent a rocket against the right post in from twenty-five metres. The fun continued just past the half-hour mark when Ibrahim Afelley volleyed in a rebound from Balázs Dzsudzsák powerful drive. PSV pressured Ajax constantly and ten minutes later Nordin Amrabat intercepted Jan Vertonghen’s nonchalant back pass before toying with the ‘keeper and sending to the back of the net. Luis Suárez brought one back just before the half with a nice volley from the right side of the six-yard box to make in 3-1. After the break, PSV continued to pour it on as Jason Culina, soon to join Gold Coast United of the A-League, came in from the right flank before powering in the ball with his left foot from twelve metres. Nine minutes later Hungarian international Balázs Dzsudzsák curling free-kick filled the net as PSV supporters were thrilled with a 5-1 margin. Serbian international Miralem Sulejmani brought one back for Ajax with fourteen minutes remaining via a beautiful chip through ball from Ismaïl Aissati. Finally to crown the celebration Otman Bakkal completed romp in the final moments of the match to send Ajax back to Amsterdam with a devastating 6-2 loss, as well as thwart their efforts to overtake Twente in the Champions League race.
Category: PSV Team News“It feels good to be back home”
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To absolutely no surprise, PSV announced today that Fred Rutten will be handed the reigns of the club effective 1 July with a three-year contract. He is the eighth manager for the Eindhoven side this decade but has considerable experience with the club, acting as assistant to Guus Hiddink from 2002 to 2006.
The new leader said of his return to PSV:
“I look forward to the new challenge. After a few weeks of inactivity, I feel I’m ready for a new challenge. It’s a special feeling, in particular as I have worked here already for five seasons.
“It feels good to be back home. We have achieved great successes here. PSV is a warm club. I was offered the job at the end of 2007, but then I was forced to decline it as I had already given my word to FC Twente. My contract with Schalke 04 has been dissolved by mutual agreement, so nothing prevented me this time from rejoining my old club.
“I will first draw up an inventory and I also need time to assess the backroom staff. I like to work together with assistants with strong characters.”
Category: PSV Team NewsCarlos Salcido’s goal provides PSV margin of victory
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With only four matches remaining in the Eredivisie season, the Dwight Lodeweges-led PSV is making a last ditch run towards European football. Saturday afternoon the defending champions registered their third successive victory defeating FC Utrecht 2-0 at Philips Stadion. With the result PSV pulls even with Heerenveen in fourth position, albeit with an extra match played and gaze ahead at next weeks clash against rivals Ajax.
PSV were the clear aggressor in the first forty-five minutes but the stubborn Utrecht side were resilient in the final third and limited quality chances. With the match looking like it was heading to the half scoreless, Carlos Salcido, rumoured to be on his way out of Eindhoven, poached on Ibrahim Afellay’s effort that was blocked by Utrecht’s defender before driving the ball in from the top of the six-yard box. Disaster struck for the visitors ten minutes after the break as ‘keeper Wesley de Ruiter was adjudged a penalty and without fail Timmy Simons doubled the margin from the spot. For the balance of the day, PSV neatly killed off the match and with the exception of one notable attempt, refused Utrecht a chance to get back into the encounter. Without further mark the day concluded with PSV notching an important 2-0 victory.
PSV now looks forward to next Sunday’s massive clash at Philips Stadion against rivals Ajax.
Category: PSV Team NewsN.E.C. gets a great leader in Dwight Lodeweges
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In a tumultuous year Dwight Lodeweges work will be remembered as steadying force. After Hubb Stevens short reign with PSV came to an end at the end of January the fifty-six year-old Canadian native took over and immediately repaired a number of behind the scenes issues while putting the club back into winning form.
Speaking to PSV TV of his move to N.E.C. Nijmegen he said:
“I am happy to sign the contract as soon as all details have been checked. We have already reached an oral agreement.
“I’m delighted to sign this deal. I will work together with a good team of highly capable people at one ground. A friendly club atmosphere pervades N.E.C. which hugely appeals to me.
“I will put pen to paper on the contract at the beginning of next week.
“But that will obviously have no impact at all. I’ve got a job to finish here. PSV look to book an UEFA Cup place for next season and that’s the only thing that counts.”
Category: PSV Team NewsPSV climb table with 2-0 victory over Sparta
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PSV climbed to within two points of Heerenveen and a Europa League spot with a 2-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam.
The match was short on quality and in many ways represented the disappointing play of the defending champions. After a tedious opening half-hour or so, Dwight Lodeweges sprung the much needed goal four minutes before the break. Initiated by Ibrahim Afellay and Edison Méndez, Balázs Dzsudzsák continued his brilliant season as he sent the ball into the top-left corner of the net. Sparta came immediately back looking for the equalizer but a quick counter sprung Ola Toivonen free and the young Swedish international doubled the margin just prior to the break. The Rotterdam hunted for a way back in the match but PSV was air-tight in defending and Andreas Isaksson kept his goal free in route to a 2-0 victory.
With only five weeks remaining in the campaign PSV returns to play next Saturday against FC Utrecht.
Category: PSV Team News
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