This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl
PSV had to come from a goal down to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, after they snatched a 1-1 draw at the Rat Verlegh Stadium on Saturday night. Ronald Koeman's team should be content to have salvaged one point, as the hosts had a bigger impact than the scoreline suggested. Amoah gave NAC Breda the lead, while Kenneth Perez leveled things fourteen minutes from time.
PSV controlled proceedings in the first half, but failed to score the opening goal. After the break NAC played in enterprising fashion, putting in a spirited display and creating several fine chances. They could have clinched a win in the closing stages, but in-form goalkeeper Gomes, who made his 100th appearance for PSV tonight, kept his side in the game by pulling off a string of great saves. After another hectic week in which they were disqualified from the KNVB Cup and dropped points in the domestic league, PSV will prepare for the second UEFA Champions League group stage game against Internazionale on Tuesday night. PSV will have a cooling down session on Sunday, before they fly to Milan on Monday morning.
PSV did not make any changes to the side that coasted an emphatic 4-0 win over Feyenoord last Sunday, playing Kenneth Perez off striking pair Danko Lazovic and Jefferson Farfán. NAC included three former PSV players in their starting line-up: goalkeeper Ten Rouwelaar, Fehér and Kolkka and their head coach Ernie Brandts had a spell in Eindhoven as assistant coach. PSV started brightly and earned their first chance inside the opening two minutes, but Perez drilled a low shot just wide and ten minutes later Méndez also sent an effort wide of the goal. The visitors enjoyed most possession, but NAC produced goal threat twice at the other end. Kolkka delivered a fine cross and PSV's Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes was forced to push away a sharp centre from Elshot to safety. When PSV broke forward at pace, Lazovic had his shirt tugged back in the area by Zwaanswijk, but referee Haverkort waved play on. NAC restricted themselves to playing very physical football and Ronald Koeman's side, who failed to maintain the high tempo they had displayed in the initial stages, could not find a way past a tight and compact NAC Breda defence.
The hosts moved men forward after the break, but failed to make the most of early half-chances. Koeman brought on Otman Bakkal for Edison Mendez. As the second half wore on, NAC seemed to get stronger and after 65 minutes goalkeeper Gomes conceded the first goal of the 2007/08 season, when defender Zwaanswijk got in a firm header that took a deflection off Amoah before it went into the goal; 1-0.
Koeman made another change by replacing Eric Addo with Danny Koevermans. The substitution paid off almost instantly and again Perez played a pivotal role. Lazovic delivered a perfect cross and the Dane slotted home from close range, scoring his fifth goal in four matches. PSV survived some scares in the frantic closing stages, but held on for a hard-fought 1-1 draw against bogey club NAC Breda.
