Final yr Hugo van Reeken relegated with Gooische to the ‘Overgangsklasse’. Purpose for a transfer to a promotion class crew for the bold goalie, who final yr declared his want to symbolize the Netherlands on the Olympic Video games in Brisbane in 2032. Together with his new membership Ede he ended up within the hazard zone once more. As quantity ten within the league, he’ll attempt to preserve his place via play-outs this weekend. Particularly towards his outdated crew, Gooische.
After the Bussummers brutally scored 1-2 in Ede, Gooische participant Daan Schooleman pointed the finger at Van Reeken. We obtained you there, the defender appeared to wish to say to his former teammate. I observed that too. I don’t know precisely why he did that. There’s nonetheless a recreation to play. It’s a little bit early to do that, I believed. I’m not that heavy into it although. Battle on the sector I do like,’ Van Reeken mirrored on this uncommon second shortly after the sport.
That he and Ede will face Gooische within the playoffs didn’t come as a shock to Van Reeken. ‘I’ll see you guys in two weeks. I had despatched that in final yr’s group app after they completed second of their pool. I already had a robust feeling that they might win it towards Leonidas (the quantity two from the opposite Overgangsklasse pool). They’ve a very good nook with Juup Crop and an insanely proficient midfielder with Sander van de Putte, and beneath Peter Jonker as coach they’ve extra construction and self-discipline.’
The 18-year-old Gooische expertise Sander van de Putte (left) made issues tough for Ede within the first recreation. Picture: Frank Uijlenbroek/WorldSportPics
For Van Reeken, that mentality was maybe the largest distinction between Gooische and Ede. ‘With a gaggle of 5 guys, we recurrently spend two hours within the automotive on the best way there from Amsterdam alone. And that’s 4 occasions per week. Apart from a busy job, that’s fairly robust. As soon as on the sector we practice actually onerous. Each time once more. Everybody pays contribution right here. Little or no is taken out of our fingers. I’ve deep respect for that. And that onerous work matches with what I actually need.’
Irritations
Regardless of all of the sacrifices and work ethic, Ede turned in a tough season this yr. As a promoter, the Gelderland crew completed neatly in sixth place. This season, Ede didn’t even rating half as many factors (32 to fifteen) and narrowly stayed forward of relegationists HGC and HCAS.
‘Dropping so much is hard, in fact,’ Van Reeken acknowledged. ‘This crew just isn’t used to that both. For years they’ve been on the prime of their league. Whether or not that’s First Division or Promotion Division. Two weeks in the past we subsequently put our heads collectively. Confidence in one another, but in addition the mutual irritations.
That was badly wanted, in keeping with Van Reeken. We additionally mentioned our core values. Primary is that we wish to do every part within the curiosity of the crew. In our locker room since then a poster hangs with our core values and above it We’re a promotion league crew. That’s not a bluff. We belong right here. And now that the irritations are out of the air, I instantly really feel higher on the sector.
Arduous In opposition to Arduous Between Gooische and Ede. Picture: Frank Uijlenbroek/Worldsportpics
To point out that there’s certainly no bluff, a win over Gooische is required on Monday. If not within the match itself, then by way of shoot-outs. ‘I already filmed their shoot-outs towards Leonidas final week, so if it involves that, I’ll be prepared. How we do it doesn’t matter to me, so long as we win. Particularly now that it’s towards my outdated membership. I anticipate a warfare of attrition. The fittest crew wins. With the collective that we’re, we’ve got a very good likelihood.’
Van Reeken’s private long-term ambitions are additionally nonetheless very a lot alive. ‘This dream of standing on the Brisbane Olympics continues to be there. However first let’s turn out to be the most effective goalkeeper within the Promotion League.’
