Danny Koevermans rescues PSV

By: j | October 23rd, 2008

Danny Koevermans rescued PSV’s hopes with two brilliant second half goals to defeat Olympique Marseille 2-0 at Philips Stadion. Hubb Stevens will go away pleased with the general play and offensive flourish although he will want to address some problematic finishing.

Yet the biggest story behind the scenes and one that I whole-heartedly embrace, is the message Hubb sent out that performances such as last weekends dismal NAC Breda match will not be tolerated as he sent five regulars to the bench. Nordin Amrabat, Jason Culina, Danko Lazović,Balázs Dzsudzsák and Erik Pieters all started on the bench and while difficult to considerable the lineup with a number of those in it, it was the stern message a leader needed to make. The message was obviously heard and after the victory Hubb commented:

“I think we played with passion tonight. We played really well and created good chances.”

“We were a well-disciplined football team tonight and waited for our opportunities and chances. We created plenty of chances and I wish we had scored an early goal. Two-nil is a good result, though, and it has given us confidence for the future.”

The match started fast and PSV were obviously showing some resolve on the pitch and looking to impress. Barely five minutes into the match Stijn Wuytens with an opportunity for glory missed from what is best described as point-blank range where it is nearly impossible not to score. It was a dreadful shocker to be quite honest and had me considered that this would be one of those matches were squandered opportunities would be remembered in a loss. Roughly a quarter way through the match Ottman Bakkal had a perfect opportunity to get on the score sheet from close range but once again finishing wasn’t up to par and Marseille ‘keeper Steve Mandanda chalked-up a nice save. The match went to the break scoreless although PSV had clearly been the aggressor of the two. Right after the break, PSV came out on the attack and it was Ibrahim Afellay’s turn for finishing woes as he missed a perfect set-up from Ottman Bakkal with a hushed crowd in disbelief. A short time later Stijn Wuytens would once again miss from close range.

Finally with nineteen minutes remaining, Oranje capped Danny Koevermans rescued the day as he flicked on Stijn Wuytens to the back of the Marseille net. Five minutes from time Edison Méndez crossed into the box and Danny once again gave the loyal supporters at Philips something to cheer about and made in 2-0.

PSV returns to Eredivisie action against Roda JC Kerkrade on Saturday.

Isaksson
Salcido,Rodríguez,Marcellis,Bréchet
Wuytens (Dzsudzsák 78′), Simons, Méndez, Afellay (Eric Addo 89′), Bakkal (Culina 76′)
Koevermans

Marseille
Mandanda
Hilton,Bonnart,Zubar,Taiwo
Ben Arfa (Valbuena 73′),Ziani (Kaboré 62′),Cana,Benoît Cheyrou (Zenden 82′)
Niang,Bakary Koné