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Add as a favourite source on Google Add DutchNews as a favourite source on GoogleCup winners AZ Alkmaar scored a resounding 4-0 win over PSV in the Johan Cruyff Shield, the traditional curtain-raiser to the Dutch league season.

The champions never recovered after Joey Veerman was sent off in the ninth minutes for raising his boot into the face of Mexx Meerdink.

Referee Serdar Gözübüyük appeared to be reaching for the yellow card at first, but showed the midfielder a straight red after consulting the VAR team.

It took until the 25th minute for AZ to force the breakthrought, as Meerdink, now sporting a scar behind his left ear, headed in from close range after PSV defender Ryan Flamingo deflected a cross into his path.

AZ wrapped up the match with two quick goals after half-time. Weslley Patati’s precise shot put daylight between the teams before Ro-Zangelo Daal cut open PSV’s defence with a pass to the unmarked Elijah Dijkstra, who stroked the ball into the net.

Daal completed the rout from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, while PSV were restricted to a couple of shots by Dennis Man and Guus Til that drew good saves from AZ goalkeeper Jari de Busser.

Meerdink “panic”

Veerman put up no protest against his red card, his first in 359 matches for PSV, but insisted that it was clumsy rather than malicious. “I felt bad for Mexx because he was lying trembling on the pitch. He had a big cut behind his ear.”

Meerdink said: “I thought my ear had come off. I was starting to panic. I don’t think Joey could have done much about it, but it’s dangerous play so it was a red card.”

PSV coach Peter Bosz said the dismissal of Veerman made it hard to assess the quality of his team, but still struck a positive note in his post-match press conference.

“It meant we could practice defending with a low block, something we usually only get to do in the Champions League,” he said.

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