‘It started eating away at me…’
NOS Soccer–
It had been a while since Steven Bergwijn stood cheerfully in front of the camera after an Eredivisie match. But after the 4-2 win over sc Heerenveen, the Ajax attacker once again showed a broad smile. And that was mainly because of his 3-0: that was his first premier league goal since Nov. 12 last year, at 3-3 against FC Emmen.
Bergwijn scores first major league goal since November: ‘It starts to eat away at you’
“It was far too long ago,” said an elated Bergwijn. “Every goal is special to me, but this one was really nice. Because of course it’s going to eat away at you…”
The goal drought in the premier league – he did score once in the KNVB Cup earlier this month – was causing frustration for Bergwijn, who had started the season ironclad. “And that led to irritations and not being myself,” Bergwijn said.
Mirror of mother Bergwijn
After his involvement in a riot after the lost Europa League match with Union Berlin, he even received a rebuke from his mother, who held up a mirror to him.
“Yes anyway. It all makes no sense, these peripheral issues. Of course you can have a riot now and then, but at one point I was involved in every little thing. I just have to focus on playing soccer and having fun.”
Having scored his goal, Bergwijn now seems to be having fun again. Against Heerenveen, he could have even scored another, but his effort went against the post. “I could cry when that ball went on the post. But that’s soccer too.”
Heitinga happy with Bergwijn and seventh league win
Coach John Heitinga was also delighted with his striker’s long-awaited goal. “Everyone has seen Stevie in recent weeks. If Stevie is in form, we will go to a higher level.”
Heitinga books seventh premier league win in a row: ‘We refuse to lose’
Heitinga booked his seventh win in his seventh Eredivisie match with Ajax. “We just refuse to lose. We’ve come a long way and are on a certain path. We want to continue that.”
According to Heitinga, the first half-hour against Heerenveen was the best half-hour Ajax has played under his leadership. “The ball tempo was very high, lots of position changes, aggressive pressure…. When I see the goals, especially Stevie’s, I think: there is a lot in this team.”
Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli did not look good on both of Heerenveen’s goals. “I have yet to see it again…,” Heitinga said.
