Amourricho from Axel Dongen finally had another great day of football on Sunday. The attacker on loan from Ajax managed to score against Feyenoord on behalf of SC Heerenveen, resulting in the match ending in a 2-2 draw. Many emotions were released for Van Axel Dongen, who had suffered many injuries in recent years.
“Everything came to the surface, all the days of crying and laughing,” says the loaned Ajax player, quoted by NU.nl. “I have been through so much,” says Van Axel Dongen, who made his official debut for Ajax in December 2021 at the age of seventeen.
At Ajax, Van Axel Dongen was always known as a super talent, but due to injuries he hardly played any games for either Ajax 1 or Jong Ajax. Every time he was almost fit, a new injury often followed. “Every time I had the feeling that I was going to break through, I got injured again,” he says.
Van Axel Dongen also struggled with physical problems in his first months at SC Heerenveen. He has now been fit for some time and against Feyenoord he was of great value to the Frisian club. He came on in the 87th minute and seventeen seconds later he made it 2-2. “This is the definition of a golden bill,” he says with a laugh.
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Robin Veldman, the trainer of SC Heerenveen, spoke about a ‘wonderful moment’ for Van Axel Dongen. However, the Ajax mercenary was sent onto the field with a different assignment when SC Heerenveen was allowed to take a corner. ‘I actually had to take care of the remaining defense. But hey, I’m an attacker and saw the space. That turned out well.’
Van Axel Dongen shot the ball in from the air in one go from that corner with his left leg. ‘I am naturally right-footed, but I have practiced well with my left. I hit him nicely on the foot, it was a nice goal.’
The loaned Ajax player is grateful to his family after his important goal. Especially his mother. ‘She’s not here at the stadium, she was watching on TV at home. I hope the TV is still intact, because my mother is an avid football fan. She is proud of me and I of her. It is through the help of my family, my mother and God that I am here today. I missed playing in a stadium so much.’
Finally, Van Axel Dongen says that he hopes that this goal now marks the end of several difficult years. ‘I’ll never forget this, but I want more. The focus is on the now and the future. I am very fit and trust my qualities. I want to score many more times in a full stadium.’
See Van Axel Dongen’s interview and goal at ESPN below.
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