Phew, PSV narrowly wins 3-2 against Sparta Rotterdam

By: Firezen | November 29th, 2009

We did it! That was probably in the minds of Fred Rutten and the PSV players on a tough exciting away match. It is absolutely official, we have broken our own club undefeated streak record, and with what kind of fashion as well.

Sparta Rotterdam players were robbed off a day of rest to train extra for their poor performance against VVV Venlo, losing 5-0. It certainly gave a clear message to the home side prior to the game, if your sloppy, pack your bags and leave.

However, despite the awakening of the “Spartans”, it was surprisngly PSV who were the dominant side in the beginning of the match. Even with my poor unstable internet connection that kept flickering offline during the broadcast, i was still able to figure out that PSV were the one who created more of the chances. And soon enough, after a Dzsudzsák corner kick that managed to come back to him after a few happy bounces in the box, another cross met a running Serbian by the name of Dank Lazovic who finished it off with a stunning header. It was truly wonderful to see, because the wingers swapped places, with Dzsudzsák crossing from the right and Lazovic scoring from the left. Last game’s goalscoring hero Ola Toivonen could only watch on and stare at his superb colleagues.

It was after the first goal when things started to go wrong. Like most football matches, you are the most vunerable to concede a goal when you just scored a goal, and that immediately materialised. Sparta Rotterdam were fully awakened, and with the fans cheering on, a centre back defence that looked mesmerised by the crisp passing from the Rotterdammers meant that the ball went through the middle of the park, into the box and scored into the back of the net.

You could see the excitement and release of anger and frustration from their last game with the celebration. Goalscorer Rydell Poepen ran across the goal line towards the corner flag and dived down both knees Rooney style, with his team mates mobbing him. PSV players were shocked and certainly looked down.

Bear in mind, this all happened in the first 29 minutes. But the intensity didn’t seem to want to faze off though.

Both sides were now ready to beat up each other. PSV had 3 clear cut chances for the remainder of first half, most notably Dzsudzsák’s shot that was cleared off the goal line. Sparta Rotterdam also tested Isaksson a couple of times, and it seemed like the whistle went off at the wrong time coming when the next goal was on the cards.

Once second half began, PSV started to launch waves of attacks, just to see them stopped by the seemingly unstoppable goalkeeper. Surprisingly it was the home side that scored the next goal though. Very very poor defending from PSV meant that Sparta could run into the box, striker crossing a floor kissing ball that rolled over from (!) the right side of the box to the left side of the box, beat Isaksson, Pieters, Salcido and Maza Rodriguez before Poepen ran into to slot the ball into the back of the net. Now I thought we had one of the best defence in the league?

This was the 55th minute, and you could just see the urgency in Fred Rutten’s eyes, cause it was the first time since NAC Breda on August 23rd, were we trailing. PSV responded fast, with Jonathan Reis immediately replacing Ola Toivonen on the 56th minute.

The Brazilian is fast becoming our specialist second half super sub, as the substitution immediately paid dividends on the 69th minute. A quick turn, blistering pace and a shot full of firepower. Ole, 2-2. Fred Rutten (very rarely seen him do this), jumped up from his standing position and hugged the person closest to him.

But Dzsudzsák who provided the first goal, finished the game off with the final goal. This is probably one of the few “Oh ho ho ho” moments from me, when Engelaar found Dzsudzsák inside the box. Dzsudzsák, turned around, takes a split second to stare at the goal, a very gentle elegant shot from his right foot (he’s left footed for all you don’t know), gracefully roll down the floor with the goalkeeper just watching the ball agonisingly bounce off the left post and roll into the goal line. 3-2!!

Home fans silenced, away fans crazy. Timmy Simons came on for Afellay on the 89th minute to provide defence stability and secure this narrow win of ours. What a match.