Ipswich Town's Under-21 side were comprehensively beaten 7-0 by PSV in the Premier League International Cup at Portman Road. The young Blues were overwhelmed by a visiting team featuring several players with Eredivisie experience, conceding six goals before halftime.

Ayoni Santos opened the scoring for the Dutch side after just two minutes and added a second six minutes later. Mikkel Bro Hansen then set up Shuryjano Cornecion for the third goal in the 18th minute. Rivas Manuhutu pulled a goal back for Ipswich in the 43rd minute, but PSV were awarded a penalty just before the break which Bro Hansen converted to make it 6-1 at the interval. Cornecion completed his brace in the 61st minute to round off the scoring.

Young side outmatched

The gulf in experience was evident from the outset. Ipswich's lineup, which included Alex Noonan in goal, did not feature any senior players, while PSV fielded a 31-year-old first-team goalkeeper in Nick Olij. Jong PSV, the visitors' reserve side, currently sits 12th in the 20-team Dutch second tier, and several of their players have featured in the top flight this season. Kiliann Sildillia has made two Eredivisie appearances, while Noah Fernandez scored ten times last season and has one goal in six games this term.

Ipswich were also without injured defenders Jacob Mazionis and Oliver Wilkinson. The heavy defeat serves as a stark reminder of the step up required to compete at senior European level, a challenge the first team is currently handling in the Premier League. Kieran McKenna's senior side sit 12th in the table with 10 points from eight matches, having drawn 1-1 with Nottingham Forest last time out. That result, where Julio Enciso scored the equaliser, continued a recent run of one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five league games. Their overall record this season stands at three wins, one draw and four defeats, having scored 12 goals but conceded 16. They currently find themselves 11 points behind league leaders Manchester City, a side they narrowly lost 3-2 to earlier in October despite goals from Daizen Maeda and Zian Flemming. Their next challenge is a trip to face 10th-placed Hull City on Saturday, 31 October, as they look to improve their form.

The result, while disappointing, is part of the learning process for the club's academy prospects. The focus for the first team now shifts firmly to the Premier League and that key fixture at the MKM Stadium this weekend.

The original report is at kingsofanglia.com