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Review of the year, March 2008 (PSV.nl)

3 jan 2009 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl


On the first few days of the new year, PSV.nl presents a review of 2008. It has been a memorable year in the history of PSV. There were mixed fortunes for PSV in the Dutch league, and they were indebted to the penalty heroics of Gomes in the last 16 of the UEFA competition against Tottenham Hotspur. It was announced that PSV had won the race for the signature of talented winger Nordin Amrabat. Today this page will take you through the month of March, looking back at the games, the goals, the incidents, the drama and the memories.
Stuttering form
PSV did not manage to maintain their winning streak: on 2 March, FC Utrecht inflicted a 3-1 defeat on them. Timmy Simons opened the scoring for PSV, but three goals from the home side sent the Galgenwaard Stadium into raptures. PSV's stuttering from continued in Kerkrade with a 1-1 draw at Roda JC. PSV looked to be heading for a win, but conceded an equaliser in the dying minute, and saw their lead at the top of the Dutch Eredivisie cut to four points. The title race was wide open in Holland when PSV and Ajax fought out a goalless draw in Eindhoven. On 22 March, PSV returned to winning ways in the wake of one defeat and two draws earlier this month. They earned a vital 3-0 home victory against FC Groningen, with Danny Koevermans scoring goals either side of the break. It proved to be a big step towards retaining the title as Ajax slipped to defeat at FC Twente on Easter Monday. But PSV had their championship celebrations postponed after they were held to a 0-0 draw N.E.C. in Nijmegen.
PSV reach UEFA Cup quarter finals
On 6 March, 1800 travelling fans saw PSV pull off a stunning 1-0 victory in the UEFA Cup Round of 16 first-leg tie against Tottenham Hotspur. Heurelho da Silva Gomes kept a clean sheet at White Hart Lane and Jefferson Farfán scored the priceless away goal in the 34th minute. One week later PSV booked a hard-fought passage to the quarter finals. Dimitar Berbatov ensured the game went into extra-time and ultimately penalties with a second-half volley. PSV won the penalty shootout 6-5 and Gomes was the hero as he saved the 14th spot-kick taken by Spurs defender Chimbonda. The draw for the quarter finals, which took place two days later, paired PSV with the Italian club Fiorentina.
PSV announce new coaching staff
PSV's General Manager Jan Reker announced that PSV had completed all signings of their coaching staff for the 2008/09 season. Dwight Lodeweges and Jan Wouters were appointed as assistant coaches. Also named to the staff were goalkeeping coaches Flavio Tenius and Hans Segers, but the former would never ply his trade in Eindhoven following the Gomes upheaval in summer. Club icon Mart van den Heuvel was named team manager and Wiljan Vloet was appointed as head of PSV's Academy as from 1 July after he had guided ADO Den Haag to promotion to the top flight as head coach in Den Haag.
Miscellaneous
On 3 March, PSV completed the signing of Nordin Amrabat from VVV-Venlo. The 20-year-old attacking midfielder agreed to a four-year deal. Amrabat was delighted with the move to the reigning champions. 'It is the dream of every footballer to want to move on and improve yourself - and the ultimate is to play for such a big team as PSV', he said. The encounter between PSV and Ajax, scheduled for 9 March was called off. Devoted French PSV fan Mohamed Belhadj had been looking forward to see the top-of-the table Eredivisie clash and had made a trip of over one 1000 kilometres to see his favourite team in action. All in vain, but Momo, is he is fondly nicknamed, has stolen the hearts of all PSV fans.