Heerenveen continues streak with 2-0 victory over Roda JC

Following victories over Feyenoord this week in Eredivisie action and in the KNVB Cup, Heerenveen continued on its winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Roda JC. However the victory was far from easy as the visiting side from Kerkrade put forth a strong effort.

Trond Sollied's side nearly brought Abe Lenstra Stadion to its feet early as Danijel Pranjić and Arnór Smárason came close to linking up for the first score in the first minute. However following the early inspiration the match settled down and just when it appeared to be going to the break without a score, Eric Addo, who just came over to Roda JC from PSV, gave up the ball to Danijel Pranjić at the fortieth minute. The Croatian international set the wheel in motion with Christian Grindheim eventually providing Roy Beerens the chance to close out the first goal of the match.

After the restart the visitors continued their impressive form as they hunted for the equalizer however at the fifty-third minute Edwin Linssen brought down Roy Beerens in the area and the spot was pointed to. Veteran Danijel Pranjić calmly sent the ball into the netting to give Heerenveen the two goal margin. For the balance fo the match as much as Roda JC tried to break Brian Vandenbussche's goal-line the new found Friesland defending could not be breached.

PSV disappointed in Kerkrade

The drive south to Kerkrade, ended in disappointment as PSV was held to a 1-1 draw by Roda JC. With the draw the defending champions cling to fifth place in the Eredivisie, behind Heerenveen and presuming they win a distant thirteen points behind AZ in first.

For the match Hubb Stevens made two changes in his lineup, handing Cássio Ramos the goalkeeping duties as Andreas Isaksson is under the weather and giving veteran Edison Méndez an opportunity to work himself out of the dog-house. PSV came out attacking with Balázs Dzsudzsák and Danko Lazović showing great initiative but whether through good fortune, a last gasp save by Roda 'keeper Bram Castro or bad finishing, they were unable to capitalize and the match went to the break scoreless.

At the restart Harm Van Veldhoven's side was brimming with confidence and at the fiftieth minute Willem Janssen header of Canadian international Marcel De Jong's cross was cleared off the line. However PSV were gifted the lead on the hour with a questionable call as Pa-Modou Kah was called for a hand ball on Ibrahim Afelley's shot and the spot was pointed to. Timmy Simons made now mistake to give PSV the lead, a minute later and some might call it "justice", Willem Janssen leveled the match.

Nordin Amrabat and Danny Koevermans were introduced for Danko Lazović and Otman Bakkal respectively but were unable to break-through and were in-fact fortunate to come out with a draw. as both Sekou Cissé and Anouar Hadouir had ample opportunity.

Roda JC shocks PSV

PSV manager Huub Stevens summed up the PSV - Roda match simply in his post-match press conference stating:

"I can’t possibly lavish praise on PSV. I am concerned about my team’s inconsistent play. We made only one change from the team that did so well only three days ago. Roda produced an excellent performance, but we should never have conceded defeat. We were not clever enough tonight. Roda were patient and, unlike Olympique, would gladly have settled for a draw beforehand."

PSV was defeated 3-2 by Roda JC at a disappointed Philips Stadion. That match marked the second successive year Roda has upset PSV and it was additionally Roda's first victory of the season. The loss sends PSV tumbling to fourth in the table, four points FC Groningen but with NAC Breda still to play, that margin could increase to six.

The visitors got off quickly with Boldiszar Bodor scoring twenty minutes after the opening whistle. PSV looked sloppy and uninspired with control of passing inexplicably poor. Well before the half, supporters expressed their disapproval and as they went to the break down 1-0, whistles cascaded throughout Philips.

Boldiszar Bodor was once again an inspiring force for Roda as twenty minutes from the restart his cross was headed in by Andres Oper. Balázs Dzsudzsák took it upon himself with a perfectly struck free-kick on the hour mark to draw PSV within one and with his urging, the fans began to push their hero's on. Yet only five minutes later Boldiszar Bodor was the beneficiary of dreadful if not amateurish defending as he was let in alone on PSV 'keeper Andreas Isaksson via a long ball and calmly deposited the ball to the back of the net. Serbian international Danko Lazović, along with Balázs Dzsudzsák were one of PSV's lone bright spots in a miserable evening, made a beautiful play to maneuver past Roda 'keeper Bram Castro and brought PSV to within one with eleven minutes remaining. While PSV poured forward looking for the leveled, Roda's back-line led by Canadian international Marcel de Jong held strong, taking the great victory to the backdrop of a disgrunted Philips Stadion.

PSV returns to Eredivisie action on Tuesday against ADO Den Haag.