News
Speakers
Corner
Dutch
Premier
Dutch
Division 1
Dutch
FA Cup
Champions
League
UEFA
Cup
Super
Cup
National
Team
Dutch
Abroad
Hall
Of Fame
Stadiums
Feedback
Home
| |
| Pitch
invasion drama in Eindhoven
PSV Kaiserslautern 0 - 1 |
15 Mar 2001
|
| The
Germans started the match knowing that PSV had to score at least 2
goals and that an away goal would make it very, very difficult for PSV. So they were content to let the Dutch come at
them, could
afford to dig in at the back and wait for the chance to counter. PSV
settled down and started putting the moves together - Bruggink had the
first decent chance in the 15th minute from close by but the shot wasn't
really a problem for Koch, Van Bommel set up Nikifirov in the 20th who
blasted wide. The pressure was upped and in the 27th they came
close again in a goalmouth scramble but the ball never made contact with a PSV
head or foot. Minutes later Rommedahl escaped down the right wing but
floated one straight into Koch's arms followed by a close call from a
German freekick which was stopped only by Waterreus's reflexes. Koch was
being given a hard time by his old "fans" (the throwing of
orange peel and coins accompanied by plenty of whistles). Kolkka
missed one of those goals-that-you-know-should-go-in-if-you're-to-win-the-match goals in the 37th from another surge forward.
Unfortunately PSV were not as deadly as we had wished for up front and the extra firepower
of Kezman and Nistelrooy were definitely being missed. The will was there
but mind and body weren't quite in sync. The visitors came out after the
break looking
more dangerous and had an early chance but PSV kept pushing forward
earning them a penalty in the 51st when Van Bommel was brought down but
Bruggink's attempt was easily picked up by Koch. Nikifirov's shot in the 57th was his 3rd passionate strike of the match.
The nerves were also getting a bit ragged - a couple of PSV yellow cards
in quick succession, one for a clumsy block, the other for arguing with
the referee over a hands ball incident in the box (van Bommel). After
Waterreus had to act quickly in the 65th to collect a dangerous ball it was
time for Kolkka to go off, replaced by Ramzi. Waterreus was there again to
deal with a dangerous freekick, and a shot from the rebound, showing his
dependability but it all meant nothing as seconds later, in the 69th, he got a card
for a 'dangerous contact' within the box, bringing down Lokvenc and
getting a penalty against him. It was
taken with cool German precision and the stadium exploded as this drama
was followed by more - Van Bommel was shown red in the 73rd - it would
take a miracle now but instead it was a shock when the fencing gave way in
one corner and young angry fans poured onto the pitch. Gerets raced towards
them, telling them to get back before it suddenly threatened to get ugly. They were
finally coaxed into going back - but what now? The ref and other officials
plus most of the Germans had left the pitch - was this how it was going to
end, in this one overheated moment? After a short cooling off the referee decided to restart the
match - it was going to be a tough last quarter
of an hour. PSV did come close but their will was pretty much broken, down
to 10 men and the wind out of their sails - a night that will burn long
for all the wrong reasons in the Eindhoven memory and one which will cost
the club dear at the bank. |
BackBackBackBackBackBackBackBackBackBack
|
