PSV fight back to progress against Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Thursday, November 3, 2011
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PSV Eindhoven 3-3 Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC
Trailing by two goals just after the break, PSV fought back to seal their place in the round of 32 and eliminate their visitors in the process.
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PSV Eindhoven were given a scare but reached the UEFA Europa League round of 32 after coming from behind to draw 3-3 against Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC.
The hosts went into the game with a 100% record in Group C yet found themselves 3-1 down after 47 minutes. Omer Damari's tenth-minute effort gave the visitors the lead, and although Georginio Wijnaldum replied soon after, Toto Tamuz then struck twice. Ola Toivonen got one back, and after Roei Gordana's 72nd-minute red card reduced Hapoel to ten men, Kevin Strootman hit a late equaliser to knock them out and secure PSV's passage.
Dror Kashtan's team exploded out of the blocks, with Nosa Igiebor's fierce shot stinging Andreas Isaksson's palms before Tamuz slipped in Damari for the opener. The 22-year-old finished with aplomb, but a response was not long in coming. Two minutes later, Wijnaldum met Zakaria Labyad's right-wing cross and guided the ball into the far corner.
Tim Matavž and Dries Mertens both went close after that, Matavž threatening twice, but Hapoel stunned PSV again after 33 minutes. Damari streaked away and found Tamuz, who shot low past Isaksson. Wijnaldum mistimed a header as he sought another equaliser before the break, and that looked costly when Tamuz pounced at the start of the second half, hammering in the rebound after Isaksson had done brilliantly to tip Walid Badier's header onto the bar.
PSV announced the signing of free agent Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink on Thursday; how they could have done with the 32-year-old in his pomp as they flew at their visitors in response. They found Édel Apoula in inspired form, but, after making three acrobatic saves in quick succession, he was beaten just before the hour. Mertens raced forward and fed Toivonen, whose first touch took him between two defenders, allowing an easy finish.
The Israeli side were now camped in their own half and they retreated even further following Gordana's dismissal. Matavž missed his kick twice, yet Strootman finally came to PSV's rescue in the 87th minute, walking on to Wilfred Bouma's cushioned header to drive in.
