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| Source=Eredivisie SNS Capture |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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| EPAYonhap News |
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The Netherlands' Eredivisie is showing signs of unfolding 'the greatest reversal drama ever'.
Park Ji-sung's European team, PSV Eindhoven, won a 4-1 victory in the 33rd round of the Eredivisie against Hercules in the 2024-2025 season at Phillips Stadion in Eindhoven, the Netherlands on the 15th (Korea time).
PSV, which led by Malik Tillman's first goal in the 18th minute of the first half, led 4-0 in the first half with additional goals from Ismael Saibari in the 21st and 35th minutes of the first half and Tillman in the 40th minute of the first half. Mario Engels scored a comeback goal in the 30th minute of the second half, but it did not affect the trend. The number of shots between the two teams was 30 to 3.
PSV, which has been on the rise for six consecutive wins, recorded 24 wins, 4 draws, 5 losses, and 76 points, bringing down Ajax (75 points) and dramatically retaking the lead.
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| EPAYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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PSV was nine points behind the leader Ajax when it lost 0-2 at home to Ajax on March 30. The chances of winning seemed slim. There was also the possibility of allowing third-place Feyenoord to overtake. However, Ajax took the opportunity at the end of the season due to the luck of falling into an unexpected slump.
The process of retaking the lead is a drama. Ajax were beaten in a 2–2 draw at Groningen on the same day. Ajax, who took the lead with Anton Gaiei's first goal in the 27th minute of the first half, gave up an equalizer to Tom van Bergen in the 7th minute of the second half, but veteran Boot Behorst scored a go-ahead goal again in the 23rd minute of the second half. With the departure of opposing midfielder Luciano Valente in the third minute of extra time in the second half, when the victory was imminent, he even gained a numerical advantage. However, in the 9th minute of extra time in the second half, Tayman Blockzeil allowed an equalizer. For PSV, who checked Ajax's game after finishing the game early, it is a goal that can be called the "Miracle of Honingen". Groningen was a low-motivation team in 12th place.
Ajax, which has been in an unseasonably slump with two draws and two losses in the last four games, will face its final league match one point behind the leading PSV. It's unfavorable conditions, but one positive thing is that the final match will be played at home. Ajax will bring home Tvente on the 18th. At the same time, PSV will go on an expedition to Rotterdam, Sparta. The team's power against him is higher than that of Sparta, ranked 6th.
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| EPAYonhap News |
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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PSV, which won the league title for the first time in six years through the 2023-2024 season, is on the verge of winning its second consecutive title. Ajax are aiming for the first league trophy in three years after the 2021-2022 season. Ajax has the highest number of wins in Eredevish history with 28, followed by PSV and Feyenoord with 22 and 11. If PSV wins, the difference in the trophy will be reduced to five.
PSV coach Peter Bots, a former Dutch national team member, took the helm of PSV in 2023 and gave the team a championship in its first season. Bots has a history of leading Ajax to second place in the Europa League in the 2016-2017 season. As a player, he had a reputation as a legend of Feyenoord. After his retirement, he led prestigious clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Olympique Lyonnais.
Meanwhile, Hwang In-beom's team Feyenoord (68 points) confirmed the third place with a 2-0 victory over Balbake. With one game left, he widened the gap with fourth-place Utrecht (63 points) to five points. I missed the ticket to the European Champions League finals next season, which will be given to the first and second place teams. They will play the third qualifying round of the Champions League. He had to pass the third qualifying round and the playoff round to advance to the league phase (group league).
Hwang In-beom, who joined Feyenoord this season and played in 20 games (three goals and two assists), missed the match against Balbake due to accumulated warnings of five cards. He is scheduled to play his final game of the season against Herenven on the 18th.
Reporter Yoon Jin-man yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
