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PSV met TSV Alemannia Aachen in the Wald Stadium on Wednesday night for their pre-ultimate pre-season friendly. The Eindhoven outfit and their hosts drew 1-1. PSV found it hard to keep possession in the first half. The hosts, who were promoted to the Bundesliga last season, put pressure on PSV and showed more fighting spirit. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink created the first chance on twenty minutes, after he had cleverly found some space, but was thwarted by the German goalkeeper. At the other end Gomes was constantly kept busy, as the Germans delivered a great many crosses, in particular from the right flank. Both teams had their moments, but did not earn any proper chances. PSV threatened one more time; Koné superbly collected a fine long ball and rounded the goalkeeper, but the Ivory Coast international striker then fired into the sidenetting. At half time the rain came pouring down, which may have been symbolic for a poor first-half performance. Jason Culina was brought on for Vennegoor of Hesselink at half time. PSV put in a better performance and managed to keep the ball down. Ibrahim Afellay was taken off after fifteen minutes and Mika Väyrynen left the bench to replace him. The Fin immediately played a major part in the opening goal. He set up Culina, who was left completely unmarked. The Australian superbly found Koné, who clinically finished: 0-1. Moments later PSV seemed to have killed off the game, but Jefferson Farfán was adjudged to have committed a foul and captain Phillip Cocu was booked for dissent. The hosts earned a free kick ten minutes from final time, after Manuel da Costa, who had replaced André Ooijer, had handled the ball. Pinto beat Gomes with a well-struck free kick. The PSV goalkeeper was called into action a few times in the closing stages, but no more goals were scored. "We lacked sharpness and made some unnecessary mistakes", announced Koeman after the game. He added that Ooijer, Cocu and some other players resumed training only ten days ago. Ooijer asked to be substituted during the second period. "We benefited from the shower, as we could link up better on the slippery pitch. I do not pay much attention to the final score. We have made some progress again and must be ready at the start of the season. We have learnt a lot tonight", explained Koeman. The head coach suggested that the players who appeared at the World Cup, will be on the pitch the full 90 minutes, when PSV meet 1.FC Nürnberg next Saturday. Stadium: Waldstadion, Wegberg-Beeck.Goals: (61) Koné 0-1; (83) Pinto 1-1.Yellow cards: Cocu, Farfán (PSV). PSV line-up:Gomes, Reiziger, Alex, Ooijer (68, Da Costa), Simons, Cocu (76, Aissati), Afellay (60, Väyrynen), Farfán (76, Beerens), Vennegoor of Hesselink (46, Culina) and Koné.
