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Home > News > Koevermans bagged a second-half brace to secure a 2-0 win (PSV.nl)

Koevermans bagged a second-half brace to secure a 2-0 win (PSV.nl)

22 okt 2008 - Source: PSV.nl

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PSV were ready to go into battle and put in a solid team display on Tuesday night as they recorded a fully deserved 2-0 victory against Olympique Marseilles at the Philips Stadium. Koevermans produced a man-of-the-match performance, scoring two headed second-half goals to secure a vital win.
Ready to go into battle
Much was at stake for both PSV and Olympique Marseille as they kicked off their third Champions League Group D match. As both teams had suffered two defeats each already, only a win would do to keep their slender hopes of reaching the next round of the Champions League alive. PSV went for it from the first whistle and after having wasted two great opportunities in the first half, they succeeded in securing a win after the break. They will be next into action on Saturday when they play host to Roda JC in the domestic league and travel to the south of France in two weeks' time for the return leg against Olympique Marseilles.
Wuytens and Bakkal earn great chances
Huub Stevens had made five changes after his side had slipped to a 2-1 defeat by NAC Breda, handing starting places Koevermans, Bakkal, Méndez, Maza and Bréchet. Olympique de Marseille coach Erik Gerets included Ben Arfa and Niang in his starting line-up, while former PSV player Zenden started on the bench. The visitors had the first chance, but Niang's appeal for a penalty was rightly ignored by the referee. Wuytens should have opened the scoring after just seven minutes, when Bakkal delivered a perfect pass. The young Belgian, left completely unmarked, jumped at the opportunity and wildly blasted over the bar from close range. PSV had most attacking ideas, but Marseille attempted to conquer the ball in midfield and start quick counter attacks. Ben Arfa and Koné had shots on goal, but PSV kept their composure. The home side earned their second great chance after 25 minuten. Bakkal controlled a long ball well, wriggling his way past a defender at the same time, but he had his effort blocked by keeper Mandanda. The crowd vociferously supported PSV who realised that a lot was at stake tonight. Referee Skomina from Slovenia, who made his Champions league debut, bore the brunt of the home fans' anger for many minutes, after he had shown a yellow card to Koevermans for verbal dissent.
Koevermans scored two headed goals
PSV burst out of the blocks after the break. Bakkal delivered another perfect cross and Afellay, completely unmarked, had the goal at his mercy, but, to the disbelief of the home crowd, he put the ball wide. Wuytens wasted PSV's fourth chance of the night, when he missed from close range. But twenty minutes from time, PSV finally broke the deadlock. They breathed a sigh of relief when Koevermans rose and flashed a glancing header into the bottom corner of Mandanda's goal from Wuytens' corner, a just reward for all the hard work they had been doing. The points were wrapped up five minutes from time when Mendez crossed from the right flank for Koevermans, who netted his second goal by heading low past Mandanda, with the stadium erupting. The headed goal that Koevermans scored reminded the crowd of Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who watched the game from the stand, as he is rehabilitating from an injury in Holland. Stevens brought on Eric Addo for Afellay as PSV held on for a morale boosting 2-0 win. The team showed fighting spirit and have put their European campaign on track.