10 questions for Marcel de Jong

[feyenoordsoccerfan]

10 Questions to Marcel de Jong
article in Voetbal International
part 1

Left back Marcel de Jong (19) is developing in a stormy fashion at Roda JC. The Canadian born, transferred last summer 2006 from Helmond Sport, immediately conquered a first team spot in Kerkrade and is now debuting in the selection for the Young Orange squad for the practice match against Young Denmark. Last Saturday he excelled in the away match against Willem II, won with 0-1.

Q1: Victory in Tilburg was important for Roda JC to stay in touch with the top?

“That’s for sure. In advance we knew that we could expect a tough night. We are competing with the top and they are in the tail of the table. So Willem II could play freely against us and so they did. They didnot makei t easy for us and we escaped with some fortune with the victory.”

Q2: Were you just like coach Huub Stevens unsatisfied by your team play?

“We played one of our lesser games so far. In the first half we made it unnecesary difficult for ourselfs by making many mistakes., that became even worse in the second half. The sharpness was lacking in the team, from the front to the back. We often were one step too late. You already saw that coming last week in training. An explanation for that I donot have, but I do know that we cannot make this happen to us again. Against Willem II we still created a sizeable number of real chances, as long as that happens there is no reason to get worried. That we managed to take three points despite our lousy play, is extra nice. We have a very young group, we can and must play far better. Our target is the fifth, sixth place. That seems to me a nice target.”

[masster]

Thanks. Please keep it coming.

[masster]

When you get a chance, that is. :)

[Robino]

By "Young" it must mean youth or u20, I'm assuming

[jpg75]

By "Young" it must mean youth or u20, I'm assuming

U21 (1985 and later), basically the team eligible for 2008 Olympic qualifying.

Hey FSF, don't be shy about posting the whole interview...that is unless De Jong says he wants to play for Holland :(

[feyenoordsoccerfan]

U21 (1985 and later), basically the team eligible for 2008 Olympic qualifying.

Hey FSF, don't be shy about posting the whole interview...that is unless De Jong says he wants to play for Holland :(
I like to turn it into a cliff hanger, so that question is the last one of the ten:D

[jpg75]

I like to turn it into a cliff hanger, so that question is the last one of the ten:D

Don't be a tease :p :D

[feyenoordsoccerfan]

Part 2:

Q3: You yourself can look back at a successful performance?

“I think I can be satisfied, yeah. Before half time I made a few little mistakes, for instance once I jumped under a ball. But all considered I played a good match. I could interfere usefully a few times. Taking out assists, blocking shots..”

Q4: The Technical staff of Roda JC is surprised by your quick adaptation. Are you yourself?

“To be honest, yes I am . Last summer I had my own ideas about my first season in Kerkrade. Of course I hoped to play as much as possible, but above all I wanted to learn from the older players in the selection. But from the beginning it went better than expected. That is also because I was so well received by the group. I have to feel at home somewhere. Up till now I have little problems with the level of playing. You always see younger players in a given moment get a set back. I try to postpone that as long as possible or even to prevent it, just by simply working as hard as possible.”

Q5: The step to the Eredivisie did not cost you any effort at all?

“The first training exercises were hard, really struggling. But those tough exercises now give me enormous amount of profit. I learned a lot in a short time and got a lot stronger. That goes for the whole team. When other teams sag, we have power left to push on”

Q6: Now you even are in the selection for young Orange, although the KNVB up till recently even did not know that you have a double passport

“That I found a little strange. But on the other hand I can understand it a little also. Last year I still played for Young Canada at the under 20 WC in the Netherlands, therefore they maybe thought that I could not be selected for the Orange squad. Fortunately coach Huub Stevens put that straight. I am very happy about that, I also consider it as a nice compliment”

[Robino]

Q6: Now you even are in the selection for young Orange, although the KNVB up till recently even [B]did not know that you have a double passport



Darn, we should have kept it secret.

[feyenoordsoccerfan]

part 3:

Q7: How did you end up in the Netherlands?

"Both my parents are Dutch. Once upon a time they wanted to go to Canada for a year, but they eventually hung in for twenty years. When I was 3,5 years old our family moved back to the Netherlands. My parents thought it to be better if I grew up here. I played some 20 youth international matches for Canada, what made me get a tie with the players overthere. I aalso still have some family living overthere, but with the country itself I donot share much."

Q8: Then it is logic that you are going to play for the Netherlands

"I havenot made up my mind about that. As long as I didnot play an official A status international match, I still can postpone my choice. I also intend to use that time. To me it seems to be fantastic to be allowed to play for the Orange team. I am ambitious and want to experience big tournemets, that is almost impossible with Canada. But I do have to stay realistic. If I am not good enough for the Orange team, it might be wiser to choose for Canada. This week I am going to seek some advice from young Orange coach Foppe de Haan. And I am certainly going to ask the opinion of Huub Stevens. Have a look what they can tell me. I know that left backs are a rare commodity in the Netherlands, that certainly can play a role.

Q9: Do you have any contacts with people in Canada aabout your selection for the Young Orange squad?

"Stephen Hart, thew national team coach sent me an email. He wanted to know what my plans are and made clear to me that he likes to have me with his selection. I answered that I for the time being want to look around in the Netherlands. End of last season I already got an invitation for the national team of Canada. But at that time I was in the middle of the play offs with Helmond Sport and had to refuse. With hindsight I am not unhappy with that. Now I still have a choice."

Q10: Final question, what on earth is the matter with your last club?

"I wonder about that myself. I find it terrible what is happening at Helmond Sport, that's not something you wish for the people of that club. They just are unlucky with injuries. That sounds like a lame excuse, but in this case it is the truth. Right from the start with the preparations they are in trouble. The abd results have nothing to do with Gerald Vanenburg. I think that every coach will have a difficult time when 7, 8 basis palyers are missing. Vanenburg should be judged when everybody is fit again."

[jpg75]

Well atleast the CSA hasn't dropped the ball on this one ;)

OK, but seriously it sounds like he's trying to make an informed decision and he's pretty realistic about his chances. The one thing that irks me is the quote "I am ambitious and want to experience big tournaments, that is almost impossible with Canada." there really is a perception around the world that we suck and will never qualify for the World Cup. Until we change that and qualify, that view will exist. It starts from the top down and the administration has to start believing we can do it. We need to bring in a coach who will put his all into qualification and have that rub off on the players who'll then give their left you-know-whats to win.

[Dpetzz]

Since there hasn't been too much new info on whether or not marcel will play for canada....Just thought I would mention that he hasn't been included in holland's team for the u-21 euro championships..... perhaps this is good for canada and will push him towards our country

[jpg75]

Since there hasn't been too much new info on whether or not marcel will play for canada....Just thought I would mention that he hasn't been included in holland's team for the u-21 euro championships..... perhaps this is good for canada and will push him towards our country

Sucks to say it, but we can only hope he thinks he's not good enough for Holland.

We're Canada, give us your leftovers :o