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Home  » Sports » Hiddink praises PSV maturity

Hiddink praises PSV maturity

By Theo Ruizenaar in Eindhoven
April 14, 2005 14:14 IST
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PSV Eindhoven coach Guus Hiddink praised his side's maturity after they won a penalty shootout 4-2 against Olympique Lyon to reach the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday.

"We played a very mature match and recovered from a tough opening period including the Lyon goal," said Hiddink whose team hit back to force a 1-1 draw that levelled the aggregate scores at 2-2.

"We dominated the match. For the penalties I was very confident about my goalkeeper Gomes. We had a little chat and it was good to hear him say that he was going to do his job.

"Now we [probably] play AC Milan and they are one of the leading teams in Europe so we know what we can expect."

Sylvain Wiltord scored Lyon's 10th-minute opener before Brazilian Alex equalised for PSV five minutes into the second half.

In the shootout PSV's Brazilian keeper Gomes saved twice before his compatriot, substitute Robert, slotted the winning penalty.

Lyon coach Paul Le Guen was shattered by the loss.

"This is the biggest disappointment of my coaching career and also for my players," he said. "We gave everything in two matches and end up like this.

"It became the match we expected. PSV have physical strength and are dangerous at dead-ball situations but didn't give [Lyon goalkeeper Gregory] Coupet a lot of work. We had more chances in the end.

"We've done a lot of good things this season in the Champions League. We reached the quarter-finals and lost only one match, in Manchester.

"I have a fine squad that showed tonight again what they are capable of and therefore I am very confident for the future."

 

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Theo Ruizenaar in Eindhoven
Source: REUTERS
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