Ono holds key to a Dutch dilemma

PSV Eindhoven are missing key players Kevin Hofland and Johann Vogel for Thursday’s UEFA Cup quarter-final return while the home team, Feyenoord, who already hold a slight advantage because of their away goal in the first game, are able to welcome back Patrick Paauwe.

Special measures
Yet it has been influential Feyenoord midfielder Shinji Ono who has come under most scrutiny in the lead-up to the second leg with PSV coach Eric Gerets suggesting that his side must take special measures to deal with the Japanese player if they want to progress.

'Physical challenge'
"We have to change some things in our tactics after last week," said Gerets, who is without Hofland because of suspension and Vogel because of concussion. "We have been forced to take special measures for Shinji Ono because in Eindhoven he was Feyenoord's best player. He will face a more physical challenge this time."

Well-matched sides
Despite Feyenoord’s slim adavantage, these sides are well matched. Indeed both previous fixtures between the two Dutch teams this season have ended in draws before last week's stalemate in what was their first-ever clash in European competition.

Feyenoord favourites
Gerets, who will replace the inspirational Hofland with Ernest Faber, added: "I can't deny that Feyenoord will be favourites for the return, a goalless draw will be enough for them. But I don't expect that they will aim for a 0-0. We know we need to score at least a goal. I hope it will be a good match but the most important thing is that we will reach the semi-finals."

The pitfalls
For Feyenoord it is a similar situation to the previous round when they drew away to Rangers FC in the first leg. In the return they went a goal down before raising their performance to eventually pull through.

'Fifty-fifty'
Coach Bert van Marwijk, who brings back Paauwe after suspension with 18-year-old Glenn Loovens dropping to the bench, dismisses the notion that his team are favourites and cited the Rangers tie as evidence of the particular problems they will face. "Both teams have proved to be very close and I think it is 50-50," he said. 

'We recognise our strengths'
He added: “The 1-1 [draw] from the first match gives us a difficult starting point. Against Rangers we lost our advantage when they opened the scoring and I think that tomorrow will be the same situation as against Rangers. They must win and will certainly try something different. We will keep that in mind without changing too much. We recognise our own strengths".

Ono threat
Van Marwijk has backed Ono to have a major impact on the outcome of the game. "I know PSV have some problems with the injury of Vogel and the suspension of Hofland so we will face other players now," he said. "I think that they will try to get more of a grip on Ono, but I know that he is strong enough to play his best again like he did in Eindhoven."

Van Hooijdonk on fire
A gap of two points opened up between the sides in the Eredivisie last weekend as a result of PSV's failure to get more than a 0-0 draw away to SBV Vitesse. At the same time Feyenoord were beating FC Den Bosch 3-0 with Pierre van Hooijdonk scoring twice late on. AFC Ajax maintain a five-point advantage over Feyenoord at the top of the Eredivisie with PSV in third place.