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PSV omitted to move to top following a 1-1 draw with AZ (PSV.nl)

11 nov 2007 - Source: PSV.nl

This newsitem has been supplied by PSV.nl


PSV did not succeed in moving to top of the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by AZ at the Philips Stadium on Sunday afternoon in a physical game. Ari gave the visitors the lead in the first half, but after the break PSV fought themselves back into the game and earned a point from a sweetly-struck free kick by Farfán.

Earlier this afternoon Feyenoord and Ajax settled for a 2-2 draw, so PSV failed to leapfrog the two leaders after they shared the points with AZ. PSV at first did not put in an impressive display, but the defending champions continued to work hard and tried to grab all three points in a hard, tough physical game. PSV threw everything forward in the frantic closing stages, but were not rewarded for their hard work with a win. They have collected one point from three fixtures in a hectic week, after they suffered defeat on their travels to sc Heerenveen and Fenerbahçe before. Many PSV players will be away on international duty with their respective national squads next week, while PSV plan to announce Koeman's successor shortly.
PSV played a 3-4-3 system, with Zonneveld and Kromkamp providing crosses from the flanks. PSV caretaker coach Jan Wouters wanted his team to play attacking football and handed starts to the strikers Danko Lazovic, Kenneth Perez and Jefferson Farfán. The home side enjoyed the better of a goalless opening thirty minutes. They started most moves, but created few meaningful chances. Lazovic came very close to scoring the opening goal after 25 minutes, but he only rattled the bar, after Farfán had put him clear with a 1-2 combination. AZ also had their moments and they even took the lead in the 35th minute. Dembélé turned provider for Ari with a superb backheel pass and the Brazilian striker slotted home from close range.

PSV went in search of an equaliser after the break and they restored parity fifteen minutes into the second half. Lazovic, who battled for every inch of ground the full 90 minutes, won another free kick for a foul committed on him. Farfán stepped up and from 25 yards he curled his free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net. PSV wanted more with a vocal home crowd urging them on and Lazovic and Koevermans created chances. Wouters brought on Aissati for Perez and made two more substitutions during the closing stages. Salcido and Koevermans had picked up serious knocks and Rajkovic, who made his debut at the Philips Stadium, and Zeefuik left the bench to replace them. Lazovic got a golden opportunity, but wildly fired the ball wide of the post, neglecting team mates left unmarked. PSV played long balls in the closing stages and continued to attack, but could not create find the opening. In view of their second-half performance PSV had deserved to claim all three points, but in the end they had to settle for a draw.