PSV O19 may prolong the title and go to the final of the Otten Innovation Cup. The team from Vincent Heilmann beat SL Benfica 1-0 in the semifinals. The only goal was scored by captain Floris Bos.
The Portuguese start the game just a bit better, but goalkeeper Tijn Smolenaars does not allow himself to be surprised in his first game of the tournament. PSV then goes on the attack and with success: Floris Bos heads in from a corner in the 5th minute and puts the 1-0 on the scoreboard. A few minutes later, Shuryjano Cornecion has the second on his shoe, but goalkeeper João Fidalgo saves. Verhulst also made an attempt to increase the lead, but he too hit the Portuguese goalkeeper. The visitors are no longer in the game and things get worse when João Afonso gets a yellow card after twelve minutes. He is too late to the ball.
PSV O19 initially took advantage of the man-more situation, attacked and again came close to doubling the lead. This time it was Bahaty who shot, but he hit the post. After that, coach Vincent Heilmann 's team became more sloppy in passing and the Portuguese again had some chances. These remain unused and so PSV O19 go into the break with a lead.
Few chances
There are few chances at the beginning of the second half, but the ones that are there are for SL Benfica. Goalkeeper Tijn Smolenaars is rarely troubled, however. At the other end, Gino Verhulst creates a threat, but his slalom is stranded before he reaches a shot. Nicolas Verkooijen is allowed to strike, but he shoots just wide.
With five minutes left to play, the ball fell at the feet of Portuguese captain Duarte Soares. His shot was hard and well placed, and the relief was great when the ball crossed the goal line just wide of the post. PSV O19 escaped the equalizer and had a chance to decide the match shortly afterwards. Nicolas Verkooijen took a shot from close range, but Fidalgo was on the alert. The visitors then have a few minutes left to equalize, but they cannot get past PSV's defense.
Atletico Madrid won 3-2 against Red Bull Bragantino. They are thus the opponent in the final of the Otten Innovation Cup. The final will be played at 2:30 p.m. on the main field of PSV Campus De Herdgang.
PSV O19 and Red Bull Bragantino O19 shared first place in the league table after three games with exactly the same numbers. A won penalty series (7-6) paired PSV with SL Benfica, which finished fourth.
Setup
Smolenaars, Bos (Waayers), Boon, Van der Plas, Merién; De Guzman (Khaderi), Ditmer (Mulders), Verkooijen (Van den Berg); Verhulst (Beerens), Bouhoudane (Van Duiven), Dumbili (Cornecion).