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The twelfth edition of the Johan Cruijff Shield (PSV.nl)

10 aug 2007 - Source: PSV.nl

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The Johan Cruijff Shield is the traditional curtain-raiser to the domestic season between the Eredivisie champions and the KNVB Cup winners. So defending champions PSV take on Cup winners Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA on Saturday night for the opening game of the 2007-2008 season. Last season the two teams also met, with PSV suffering a 3-1 defeat. Phillip Cocu scored the only goal for PSV.

Ruud Bossen will take charge of Saturday's tie. The referee will be assisted by Adriaan Inia and Hans Olde Olthof., while Pol van Boekel officiates as fourth official. 45-year-old Ruud Bossen presided over 423 official games in professional football. He was also man in the middle on 11 August 2002 when Ajax and PSV locked horns for the Johan Cruijff Shield. The Amsterdam outfit enjoyed a 3-1 win.
The Amsterdam ArenA will be filled nearly to capacity on Saturday night, according to a KNVB spokesman. PSV fans will not turn up in large numbers, though. Some 450 supporters will reportedly make the trip to the Amsterdam to support their favourite team.

Phillip Cocu will present the Johan Cruijff Shield to Saturday night's winner. Cocu announced at the end of last season that he would leave PSV and the 36-year old midfielder has not made up his mind yet whether he will join a foreign club or retire from football. Cocu returned to PSV in 2004 and clinched three titles in the space of three years. He wore the captain's armband the past two seasons. PSV were crowned champions in the final round of the 2006-2007 season in the most exciting end to a Dutch football season in the history of the game and Phillip Cocu fittingly scored the decisive goal.
Wesley Sneijder and Danko Lazovic are ruled out of Saturday's game through suspension. Three PSV players are not available through injuries: Jefferson Farfán is fighting an ankle problem, Arouna Koné is recovering from a bout of malaria and Kenneth Perez has sustained a knee injury. The Johan Cruijff Shield game is scheduled for Saturday 11 August, with a 20:00 kick-off.