Two Brazilians, goalkeeper Gomes and central back Alex, rule in defence, while the South Korean combination of Lee Young-Pyo and Park Ji-Sung are dangerous attacking forces on the flanks.
American influence -- both north and south -- in the shape of American DaMarcus Beasley and Peruvian Jefferson Farfan add another ingredient to the mix based on solid Dutch foundations.
And as a result of some careful management by Guus Hiddink, PSV are enjoying their best season in Europe for years.
The Brazilians joined the Dutch League leaders last summer and adapted easily to the European style of play.
Brazilians have traditionally been better known for their creativity in midfield and invention in attack, but in the last decade Brazilians have increasingly impressed in defence.
While Alex is an outstanding defender, Gomes is an even rarer Brazilian export -- a top class goalkeeper, not a position Brazilians have particularly excelled in over the years.
The 24-year-old has conceded only 13 goals in 24 league matches this season, while he has proved his worth in this season's Champions League campaign with a series of solid performances since taking over the No.1 spot from Ronald Waterreus.
KOREAN SUCCESS
Hiddink, who coached PSV to their European Cup victory in 1988, returned to the club on a high in the summer of 2002 after steering South Korea to the World Cup semifinals.
He returned to Europe with two of that successful Korean side, Park and Lee, who had a tough first season in Europe and seemed a mere shadow of the players who impressed during the World Cup.
But where several Koreans failed in Europe, Hiddink kept his confidence in them -- despite a critical home crowd and also internal doubts raised by key players like Mark van Bommel.
This season Hiddink's confidence has been rewarded and Park and Lee have been an integral part of PSV's success.
As well as their involvement in the Champions League, PSV are four points clear at the top in the Dutch title race and are also through to the semifinals of the Dutch cup, where they face Feyenoord on April 20.
Lee is an attack-minded left-sided defender while Park, who has been offered a contract extension until 2009, impresses as a versatile winger coming from the right flank.
"He is having a great time here. Unlike most of the South Korean players who made a move to Europe straight after the 2002 World Cup, Young-Pyo Lee and Ji-Sung Park have made it and we want to continue our relationship," Hiddink told PSV's official website this week.
PSV might not be among the favourites to win the European Cup, but they weren't favourites in 1988 either.
However, for those who believe in omens, they have one ace up their sleeve. They followed Porto, winners in 1987, as European Cup holders the following year. Who is to say history will not repeat itself?
