Joey Veerman is important against Telstar after a mistake by Joël Drommel

Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 8:35 PM• Dominic Mostert

PSV reached the quarterfinals of the TOTO KNVB Cup on Thursday evening. The Eindhoven team had more trouble than probably hoped in advance against Telstar, but won 2-1. After an opening goal by Telstar as a result of a mistake by goalkeeper Joël Drommel, starting debutant Joey Veerman was important with a goal and an assist. PSV will play a home game in the quarterfinals, but the opponent is not yet known.

Roger Schmidt took the opportunity to give some players a rest. Cody Gakpo, Marco van Ginkel, Maxi Romero, Ritsu Doan and Maúro Junior disappeared from the starting form compared to last Sunday against FC Groningen (0-1 win). Veerman and Fodé Fofana therefore made their basic debut. Philipp Max was also allowed to appear at the starting signal for the first time since November. The full-back contracted a corona infection and since then Schmidt has normally preferred Mauro Júnior at left back.

It was Telstar who was the first to score a goal. Cas Dijkstra fired at Joël Drommel in minute two, but his attempt was blocked on the way. Then PSV took control. Notable possibilities, however, do not follow from this; after seventeen minutes, the Eredivisie leader even got behind. Drommel got his goal after a corner that turned in by Sven van Doorn, but missed when trying to stop the ball. This allowed Özgür Aktas to open the score.

However, PSV did not need long to tie the score. Veerman first proved his worth halfway through the first half by sending Bruma away with a nice pass; the Portuguese passed goalkeeper Ronald Koeman junior and tapped in: 1-1. For a while, the duel in the Philips Stadium mainly took place in the midfield. Just before the halftime signal, PSV still had two opportunities to take the lead, but Koeman Jr. kept his team going. Shortly after the break, he also prevented a hit from Max.

PSV played in the second half with a little more conviction and decisiveness than before halftime, although Schmidt’s team got away well when Telstar took another threatening corner. Aktas had another chance for the header, but this time Drommel did well. After an hour, PSV hit the mark. In the penalty area, from the back line, Phillipp Mwene put the ball back to Veerman. The attacking midfielder was in the right place to make the 2-1 with the inside of the foot. Just before time, substitute Eran Zahavi headed the post from close by, leaving the margin of one goal.