NEC edge PSV in five-goal thriller to reach the KNVB Cup final
NEC remains in contention to crown an unforgettable campaign with silverware. Schreuder’s side edged past PSV 3–2 in a pulsating match on Tuesday, booking a place in the April 19 cup final, where AZ or Telstar will be the opponent.
PSV’s wait for aKNVB Cup triumph continues under Peter Bosz. Although the Eindhoven side claimed the Johan Cruyff Shield earlier in the campaign, it now appears poised to seal a third consecutive domestic championship.
Few teams in the Eredivisie attack with as much intent as NEC and PSV, a fact they underlined again. Both sides generate a wealth of opportunities and lead the way in goals scored.
After a 5–3 thriller in their league clash in Nijmegen, the cup semifinal followed a similar script, with the action swinging rapidly from end to end. Defensive discipline occasionally took a back seat, yet that merely heightened the entertainment value of the match.
PSV opted to restore Armando Obispo to the starting eleven ahead of Yarek Gasiorowski, and Myron Boadu’s inclusion meant Ricardo Pepi began the match among the substitutes. Schreuder, meanwhile, selected an almost full-strength NEC side. In line with earlier cup ties, Jasper Cillessen took his place between the posts, as regular starter Gonzalo Crettaz continues to struggle with fitness issues.
NEC struck early when Bryan Linssen capitalized in the sixth minute, as Matej Kovar could only parry Sami Ouaissa’s shot from distance. PSV responded by seizing control and repeatedly finding gaps in the home side’s rearguard. Ismael Saibari equalized with a free header from Ivan Perisic’s delivery on 16 minutes, before Dennis Man put the visitors ahead after weaving his way through the defense. Although NEC appeared shaken, Eli Dasa restored parity eight minutes before halftime.
NEC maintained its intensity in the second half, underlining the squad’s physical condition. PSV found it increasingly difficult to match the pace and was pushed deeper and deeper into its own half.
Referee Serdar Gözübüyük became a central figure in the contest, much to the frustration of the home crowd. He opted for a booking instead of a dismissal after Wanner halted Chery’s clear run on goal, and he also declined to award a spot kick when Obispo made contact with Linssen inside the area.
NEC regained the lead just past the hour mark, as Basar Önal steered Noé Lebreton’s delivery home to spark celebrations among the home crowd. Cillessen then preserved the advantage with a crucial save from Obispo in the closing stages, and although El Kachati failed to convert a clear opportunity, NEC held firm. Perisic came closest for PSV in added time, his effort narrowly missing the target.