Ajax 1-1 PSV Eindhoven (2-3 Pens): PSV win in the final of few chances

Thorgan Hazard celebrates PSV’s equalizer. Photo: ANP/Robin van Lonkhuijsen

PSV Eindhoven beat Ajax in the forgotten final in Rotterdam to retain the KNVB Cup.

Portuguese striker Fabio Silva, who is on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, hit the winning spot kick after five of his 10 attempts were either missed or saved.

Ajax failed to shoot a single shot in two hours of football, but an own goal put them in the lead late in the first half before Xavi Simmons created a chance for substitute Togan Hazard midway through the second half to level the score for PSV. I caught up with

Referee Dennis Higler said two captains, Luke de Jong and Dusan Tadic, were among the offenders, with both teams relying on gamesmanship in a match that was interrupted by frustration and a running feud. Therefore, 11 yellow cards were handed out.

Ajax started with Brian Broby spearheading the attack, with support from Tadic, Steven Berghuis and Steven Bergwein.

PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy also has the squad up front, with Guus Till and De Jong up front, Xabi Simmons and Johan Bakayoko on the wings, and Joey Biermann and Ibrahim Sangare central creative force. placed as

But despite the formation, the first half was an awkward, crappy affair. Because both teams knew a loss would force them into a season without silverware.

own goal

Ajax saw many balls but had no direction to move forward. PSV, on the other hand, had the best chance of his career, aided by his 3-0 victory in the Eredivisie a week earlier.

Still, it was Amsterdam Mars who took the lead just before half-time with goals in line with the overall standard of play. Tadic, who played for Bergwijn, had a sore shot go into the net via defender Jarad Brunswaite’s leg.

Blobby had a chance to double the lead in the 10th minute of the second half, but shot wide open into the post.

The equalizer midway through the second half was a rare moment of quality. PSV pinned the ball from a right-sided throw-in until Luke de Jong found Simmons in his area for a penalty. The winger fended off two of his defenders before over the box Torgan he played a pass to Hazard.

With neither team able to score convincingly in the extra 30 minutes, the match headed for the first penalty shootout in a Dutch Cup final since Heerenveen defeated Twente Enschede in 2009. I was.

Tadic and Hazard took the first spot kicks, but both teams missed their next two attempts. 17-year-old Belgian substitute Mika his Gotts put Ajax back in front, but Anwar he el his Gazi squared his score before Edson his Alvarez scored Ajax’s final penalty Joel Dromel dribbled to the feet of

That gave Silva a chance to be a hero, and he confidently awarded a penalty to win the trophy.

Police arrested 27 supporters during match preparations for verbally abusing or attempting to smuggle fireworks into the stadium. The atmosphere during the game was described as “gentle and cheerful”, despite several homophobic chants.