PSV - VVV-Venlo
In the opening match against PSV in the Philips Stadium, VVV-Venlo gave a taste of good things to come by drawing 3-3, after twice being behind by 2-0 and 3-2.
After just two minutes keeper Dennis Gentenaar was picking up the ball from the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside. PSV kept attacking in the early phase but failed to create any serious chances. The three chances VVV-Venlo had in front of a nervous Andreas Isaksson showed the potential danger of Jan van Dijk’s team.
The first chance was for Keisuke Honda with a head ball assisted by Ruben Schaken. Isaksson managed to divert the attack twice. This was followed by some fine action on the wing from Niels Fleuren who powered the ball into the penalty box. A waiting Sandro Calabro was unlucky with his header. In the first half Calabro had the best chance of all for VVV-Venlo with his unimpeded shot at goal, but he just missed.
PSV took over the initiative from the visitors. The opening goal fell just before the end of the first half. Set up by Jan Kromkamp and Ola Toivonen, former VVV-Venlo player Nordin Amrabat shot the ball with perfect precision behind Dennis Gentenaar, : 1-0.
Goalie Gentenaar saved VVV-Venlo a little later from another attack by Nordin Amrabat. But four minutes before half time, Ola Toivonen put 2-0 on the scoreboard assisted by Balázs Dzsudzsák: 2-0.
VVV-Venlo entered the second half with all guns blazing and equalised within 15 minutes. The first goal for VVV-Venlo this season was for Achmed Ahahaoui after a perfectly placed heel action by Honda: 2-1. Keisuke Honda himself took the second goal: 2-2.
PSV trainer Fred Rutten brought on attackers Danko Lazovic and Danny Koervemans. Koervemans caused some danger almost immediately. Eight minutes before full time VVV-Venlo was forced to accept another goal from PSV when Dennis Gentenaar’s misjudgement of Ibrahim Afellay’s shot resulted in a corner which was converted by Ola Toivonen’s header 3-2. This seemed to inspire Jan van Dijk’s men who fought back hard to equalise thanks to Ruben Schaken 3-
After the match Jan van Dijk and his players were all smiles. „We showed some excellent football in the first half but were totally surprised by the1-0 and the clever 2-0. The team deserves a compliment for the control they showed which was rewarded by the 2-2. We performed well to equalise again after the 3rd goal – it’s a shame we didn’t make it 3-4!”
Ruben Schaken, who equalised for VVV-Venlo, was proud of the team. „It’s what you dream about. Just playing in the premiership for the first time is fantastic and scoring is amazing. We played well. The 3-2 was unfortunate but we worked hard to make it 3-3. We have certainly demonstrated that we can achieve at this level. If we continue like this then it promises to be a very good season.”
Another player making his debut was Achmed Ahahaoui. „I’ve been dreaming of this all week. It’s an incredible feeling walking out onto the pitch. The sensation is totally different to playing in the Jupiler League. This is what all your hard work is for. And scoring, assisting and coming home with a point is amazing. We can bask in the glory until Tuesday and then we have to concentrate fully on the crucial game against ADO Den Haag.”
Sunday 2 August 2009
PSV – VVV-VENLO 3-3
27. Nordin Amrabat 1-0, 41. Ola Toivonen 2-0, 53. Achmed Ahahaoui 2-1, 60. Keisuke Honda 2-2, 82. Ola Toivonen 3-2, 85. Ruben Schaken 3-3. Match official: Bossen. Crowd attendance: Yellow cards: Ibrahim Afellay (PSV), Frank van Kouwen and Patrick Paauwe (VVV-Venlo).
Squad PSV:
Andreas Isaksson; Jan Kromkamp, André Ooijer, Dirk Marcellis, Carlos Salcido;
Squad VVV-Venlo:
Dennis Gentenaar; Michael Timisela, Frank van Kouwen (80. Sjors Verdellen), Patrick Paauwe, Niels Fleuren; Keisuke Honda, Ken Leemans, Adil Auassar (65. Kevin van Dessel); Ruben Schaken, Sandro Calabro and Achmed Ahahaoui (69. Diogo Viana).
