Heerenveen move to KNVB Beker final

Trond Sollied's SC Heerenveen head to the finals of the KNVB Beker on the strength of a 2-0 victory over FC Volendam at KRAS-stadion. De Friezen have featured in the finals twice, last in the in 1997 against Roda JC but have yet to capture the prize. With the victory Heerenveen will face Steve McClaren's Twente, who defeated NAC Breda 3-1, in the final on 17 May.

The opening goal came ten minutes in as Volendam, Het Andere Oranje, were being swarmed and couldn't clear the ball out of their own end. After getting on the end of a loose ball Christian Grindheim, with at least five of Volendam in-front of him near the box, he drove forward before sending the ball to Viktor Elm who was inexplicably wide open before sending in from the edge of the box. Opportunities were sparse and Heerenveen were fortunate not to have a penalty called just before the break as Jacobus Tuyp went down in the area with contact from Michal Švec. Finally with six minutes left Danijel Pranjić accepted the ball from the far right and worked across the top of the box before curling the ball just inside the left post to bring it to a 2-0 conclusion.

PSV overcomes Volendam 5-3

In a high tempered match PSV overcame Volendam to win 5-3 for its third consecutive victory under Dwight Lodeweges. With the result PSV finds itself fourth in the Eredivisie, a point behind Ajax and within four of Twente in the final Champions League spot.

PSV took the lead only eight minutes in as Ola Toivonen curled a free kick over the wall and into the top left corner. The margin was doubled three minutes before the half hour when Jeremie Bréchet nodded home Balázs Dzsudzsák corner from close range.
Only a minute later Volendam drew one goal back Tim Bakens went untouched through PSV defenders and provided Gerson Sheotahul a easy goal from close range. At the thirty-fourth minute Ola Toivonen was adjudged to bringing down Tim Bakens in area and Paul de Lange converted from the spot bringing the match even 2-2. Edison Méndez gave PSV the lead five minutes from the break as he got on the end of Ibrahim Afellay's cross that came off a quick counter. Edison restored PSV's two goal margin six minutes after the break, scoring from Ola Toivonen provision. However only two minutes later the young Swede was sent off with straight red for throwing a elbow at Tim Bakens when he rose for a header. With tempers running hot, Jack Tuyp rash challenge of Ibrahim Afelley drew a red card and the clubs were playing at even numbers. At the eighty-fifth minute Otman Bakkal rounded the Volendam keeper and slotted it in before Rowin Van Zaanen added a consolation goal to bring the match to 5-3.

Following the match Dwight Lodeweges said:

"We have passed a number of tests; the next few weeks we will do our exams. It was a crazy game. I am happy with the result as we scored five goals. But we were sloppy at times and not well-organised."

"They played their hearts out this afternoon. It was a crazy game. We knew they would leave space at the back, as they move men forward. They’ve provided tough opposition. I don’t think we’ve defended well, though. I am happy with the result as we scored five goals in an away game, but we also conceded three goals. I think we’ve passed a number of tests; the next few weeks we will do our exams."

PSV - FC Volendam match review

PSV is graced with a stroke of luck with scheduling as after a miserable loss to AZ Alkmaar and a mid-week match against their reserves in the KNVB Cup, bottom-of-the-table FC Volendam visits Philips Stadion. This is particularly advantageous as you consider they face Liverpool next Wednesday in the Champions League in a match they are desperate to win after they were completely dominated by Atlético Madrid 3-0 in the opening match.

The promotion to Eredivisie for FC Volendam, has been very difficult to start. They opened the campaign with hearty effort against Heerenveen, that ended in a tough 3-2 loss, followed up with a 5-0 dismantling at the hands of Feyenoord Rotterdam and then lost 2-1 last week at home to Steve McClaren's Twente Enschede. Supporters of het andere oranje recognize this start all to well and certainly fear promotion will be short-lived. Manager Frans Adelaar employs a very aggressive attack and with Dominique van Dijk, Bernard Hofstede, Rowin Van Zaanen and Jack Tuyp creating most of their attacking flourish to-date and displayed more patience last week. Hubb Steven's can expect them to continue with this patient attitude and look to counter-attack if PSV over-commits. Based upon scheduling I equally expect Hubb Stevens to employ a lineup respective of Wednesday's Champions League match.