Fortuna loses to PSV in final stages
Fortuna had the prospect of a good result in the away match against PSV for a long time on Sunday night. After an early opening goal by Paul Gladon, the Sittard formation held out for a long time, until the closing stages of the match: 2-1.
Head coach Julio Velázquez had to make do in Eindhoven without Ximo Navarro, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Thomas Buitink and Burak Yilmaz. Kristijan Bistrović was also not fit, although he did take his place on the bench. This left a starting place for Deroy Duarte. Dimitrios Siovas also returned to the heart of the defense.
Cup winner PSV is in a battle with Ajax for second place, which entitles them to enter the preliminary round of the Champions League. The home club took the initiative from the kickoff, threatening twice in the opening stages through Ibrahim Sangaré and Xavi Simons. In the fourth minute, Fortuna took an immediate lead in the first well-run attack. After a nice combination on the right wing, Ivo Pinto delivered a tailored cross to Iñigo Córdoba. His effort was cleared off the line by Jordan Teze, but in the rebound the ball went to Gladon, who scored with a beautiful overhead kick: 0-1.
The home club went on the hunt for the equalizer, Fortuna goalkeeper Ivor Pandur had a wonderful save on a close-range effort by Luuk de Jong. A shot by Teze was also a prey for the goalkeeper. After 23 minutes, the Fortuna fans cheered again. A mistake by PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez allowed Córdoba to score from close range. However, referee Kamphuis had detected hand play, canceling the goal. Two minutes later, the equalizer was a reality. A cross from Teze was worked into the goal with his head by De Jong at the far post: 1-1.
PSV coach Ruud van Nistelrooy was dissatisfied with his team's play and changed no fewer than three players at halftime. The changes on the side of the home club did not have the desired effect, Fortuna stayed upright quite easily. Pandur was again on hand after shots by Simons and Joey Veerman. After 82 minutes of play, the home club took the lead anyway. Fábio Silva delivered the ball to Simons, and with a hard shot from about 18 meters the Dutch international left Pandur defenseless: 2-1.
In the closing stages Fortuna showed resilience and the team of coach Julio Velázquez forced the home team back into their own half. After a cross from Pinto, Rodrigo Guth went close to scoring the equalizer, and in the counterattack Silva had the third Eindhoven goal on his shoe. However, Pandur saved again.
Line-up: Pandur, Pinto, Guth, Siovas, Cox (87’ Radic), Noslin (71’ Vita), Erdogan, Córdoba (71’ Ferati), Duarte (87’ Tasci), Embaló (75’ Cangiano), Gladon.
