This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl
This coming Saturday sees reigning champions PSV take on Cup winners Feyenoord for the Johan Cruijff Schaal, the Dutch Super Cup. The Johan Cruijff Schaal's status has always been a topic of discussion and this morning's media briefing was not any different. Huub Stevens referred to it as 'the final pre-season game', adding that it offers an opportunity for PSV to start the season with silverware.
Not a pre-season friendly
Stevens did not refer to Saturday's game as a pre-season friendly. 'We would like to see we have developed as a team. It is our final pre-season game and a trophy is at stake.' PSV's head coach realises that Feyenoord have injury problems to sort out, but does not know exactly what team new Feyenoord coach Gert-Jan Verbeek will select.'
A nineteen-man squad
The match will be held at the Amsterdam ArenA on Saturday, August 23, with a 6pm kick-off, one week before PSV travel to FC Utrecht for the opening game of the 2008/09 campaign. 'Our pre-season has been far from perfect. Some players were injured; three players represented PSV at the Olympic Games and several players were away on international duty. The Olympic trio is available for selection. They have already enjoyed a holiday.' Some players, including Rens van Eijden and Tommie van der Leegte, are doubtful for tomorrow's clash and that's why Stevens has named a nineteen-man squad. Defender Jan Kromkamp is making good progress in his recovery from a knee injury.
PSV and Feyenoord met twice before
PSV and Feyenoord met twice before to contend the Johan Cruijff Schaal, as the Dutch Super Cup has been called since 1996. The two teams met in 1991 and 1992. In 1991, Feyenoord beat PSV 1-0. The Eindhoven outfit had included the likes of Van Breukelen, Van Aerle, Erwin Koeman, Linskens, Kieft and Romário, in their starting line-up. One year later Koeman scored the only goal in PSV's 1-0 win over Feyenoord.
