Dja Djedje has PSV heading for the exit
Thursday, December 12, 2013
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PSV Eindhoven 0-1 FC Chornomorets Odesa
A powerful header from Franck Dja Djedje eliminated PSV and earned Chornomorets a first taste of springtime European football.
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FC Chornomorets Odesa made it through to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 in impressive style, Franck Dja Djedje scoring the goal that eliminated PSV Eindhoven.
Phillip Cocu's side went into their final Group B fixture knowing that a draw would be enough to see them through to the knockout stage along with section winners PFC Ludogorets Razgrad, but were undone as Dja Djedje's excellent header gave their Ukrainian visitors all three points, with Roman Grygorchuk's side hanging on despite Sito Riera's late dismissal.
The first half was an open one. PSV goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet denied Olexiy Antonov in a one-one one, before Dmytro Bezotosnyi was called upon to save from Memphis Depay and – twice – Jorrit Hendrix. However, Chornomorets should have gone in front when a mix-up between Zoet and Karim Rekik left Olexiy Gai in a great position, but he side-footed wide of an unguarded goal from the edge of the box.
The visitors avoided a self-inflicted wound at the other end just before the break when Petro Kovalchuk cleared off the line from team-mate Anderson Mineiro.
Early in the second half, Luciano Narsingh went through on goal after an exchange of passes with Jürgen Locadia, but his lob was just too high. Just before the hour mark, Riera's first-time cross picked out Dja Djedje, with the Frenchman beating Zoet with a mighty header from close to the penalty spot.
Narsingh volleyed over and substitute Ola Toivonen missed from a few metres as PSV fought to remain in the competition, but even after Riera received a straight red for pushing Santiago Arias, the Eredivisie side could not make the breakthrough. Chornomorets set to experience springtime European football for the first time in their history.