PSV Eindhoven failed to make their dominance truly count and could only manage a 1-0 win over Shakhter Soligorsk in Eindhoven.

  • By Michael Bell
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mahPSV may have begun the Eredivisie season in free scoring fashion, but they struggled to find the net against their Belarusian opponents, with Adam Maher’s 2nd half strike the only goal they will take into the second leg.

Phillip Cocu’s side dominated the first half, but they were wasteful, with Luuk de Jong heading over the bar from close range, while Jeffrey Bruma, Karim Rekik, and Georginio Wijnaldum were all guilty of missing good chances. Man of the moment Memphis Depay saw an almost perfect chip just clawed away for a corner as the home side went into the break level.

Finally after an hour PSV took the lead, and it was in fortunate circumstances with Adam Maher’s poor shot, from the edge of the area ,deflected into the bottom corner.

The floodgates were then expected to open, but instead Shakhter missed two glorious chances to level a minute after falling behind, with Remko Pasveer having to make a fine stop before the rebound was smashed over the bar.

PSV pushed forward for the 2nd, but Depay saw a free kick brilliantly saved, while in the final minute Luuk de Jong failed to convert when through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, as PSV settled for a 1-0 win.

A difficult trip to Belarus now awaits next week, with the 1-0 win not as comfortable as Phillip Cocu will have hoped for. However with no away goal conceded, and PSV likely to score next week, the Eindhoven side are still huge favourites to make the Europa League group stages.




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