- Sports
- 27/02/2026
A win is crucial for the first team, P1, of student soccer association Pusphaira, Gilles de Vleeschauwer explains with a smile. The student (formerly at Fontys, now at Tilburg University) shows the current standings and points out that the top four teams are separated by no more than a single point.
Woenselse Boys has collected 29 points and P1 28. Everything is possible: teams earn three points for a win and one for a draw.
Whoever finishes as champion this season will move up to the fourth division of the KNVB next year. Both teams are very keen to secure that spot. Nine matches remain.
Neighbors
“I know Woenselse Boys fairly well, because I’m from Eindhoven,” says De Vleeschauwer. “I see on Instagram that they’re really hyping up the match. All season long, they’ve been posting bold comments whenever we share our results. It’s pretty funny. They’re our neighbors at sports park De Hondsheuvels, and we’ve played each other many times before.” So the match is also a derby.
The teams are evenly matched. In October, Woenselse Boys narrowly defeated Pusphaira: 2-1.
The teams are well aware of their differences. “We play better soccer, but Woenselse Boys, as a local community club, thrives on the derby atmosphere. That matters less to us, because half our players didn’t grow up here.”
“P1 includes twelve Dutch and eleven international students. The squad is that large because many members briefly return to their home countries after each exam period, especially to Spain and Portugal. That’s why we need plenty of substitutes.”
Outstanding
Pusphaira has twelve teams and, modestly, De Vleeschauwer—who is also the club’s treasurer—says the top men’s team stands out.
“At least nine of our players competed for professional clubs in their youth, including AC Milan, Manchester City, and other pro clubs around the world. We currently play in the fifth division of the KNVB, with seven more levels above us, but our quality is high.”
He expects a strong match. “Our Spanish players, in particular, will go all in. No, we haven’t received any red cards this season. None of us completely loses control—we’re students, after all, and we keep our heads.”
Limited scoring ability
According to goalkeeper De Vleeschauwer, P1’s strength lies in its defense. “Because of our solid back line, I don’t have an especially tough job as a goalkeeper. I’m hoping I won’t have to make too many saves on Sunday either.”
And the weak point? “Our finishing. We work on it a lot in training, but we’re young and therefore relatively inexperienced. Maybe we try to score in ways that are too fancy.”
He expects a larger crowd than usual. “Normally, about twenty supporters show up for us, but now I think it could be three times that number. And Woenselse Boys will bring plenty of fans as well.”
The goalkeeper hopes for as much support as possible and calls on every reader to attend the match.
If they win, the roof will come off Pusphaira’s clubhouse. De Vleeschauwer knows they’ll shout with joy—if only to make sure it can be heard in the neighboring Woenselse Boys cafeteria.
“If we lose, we’ll walk away disappointed. For the first time, we’d fall far behind and might have to forget about the championship. But we’re not there yet.”
On Monday, Cursor will report the result of Woenselse Boys 1 - Pusphaira 1.
Sunday, March 1, 14:00h, De Hondsheuvels, middle field
This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.
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