Willem II reach promotion play-off final: 'Our entire team has so much fighting spirit'
Willem II have secured their place in the promotion play-off final for a return to the Eredivisie. Following a convincing 2-0 victory over Almere City FC, the Tilburg side will face the sixteenth-placed Eredivisie club — either FC Volendam or Telstar — in the decisive tie. Both midfielder Uriël van Aalst and winger Nick Doodeman spoke with great confidence about the club's chances.
Van Aalst shines with opening goal
Uriël van Aalst (19) had double cause for celebration on Saturday evening. Willem II beat Almere City FC 2-0, with the midfielder himself responsible for the opening goal. The Tilburg-born player, who has been at the club since the age of ten, explained how the goal came about: he spotted the goalkeeper trying to receive the ball rather than clear it, cleverly capitalised on that hesitation, and fired home. Van Aalst, who lives in Hilvarenbeek, feels right at home in his current role. 'I can drift around the centre-forward,' said the youngster, who is a firm favourite with the Willem II supporters.
Confidence ahead of the final is high
Van Aalst looks ahead to the final — in which Willem II will face the Eredivisie's sixteenth-placed side — with a positive outlook. The Tilburg club are well aware of the size of the challenge, but their desire to return to the top flight is at least equally strong. 'There are opportunities there for us — we want to get back up to the Eredivisie as quickly as possible,' Van Aalst said. The squad will spend the coming days preparing as thoroughly as possible for the two-legged tie.
Doodeman: 'It's all about winning'
Winger Nick Doodeman describes Willem II in the second half of the season and throughout the play-offs as a solid and virtually unbeatable team. In his view, their success is built on a reliable defensive structure and an outstanding goalkeeper. 'Our entire team has so much fighting spirit. What we produce may not always be spectacular, but it's all about winning,' said Doodeman. The forward stresses that the identity of their final opponents is irrelevant: Willem II want to extend their fine run for another two matches — because without that, the entire season will have been for nothing.
Extra day's rest an added advantage
Following Saturday evening's match, Sunday will be entirely devoted to recovery. An ice bath, sauna sessions and physical treatment are all on the agenda to get the squad ready for the first leg on Wednesday evening in Tilburg. Willem II also enjoy a minor additional advantage: their opponents are still in action on Sunday and will therefore have one fewer day's rest ahead of the final.
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Source: Via Omroep Brabant (GNews)
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