‘Couldn’t leave Heracles with relegation’

Since last season’s relegation, Heracles Almelo has only one mission: promotion to the premier league. Tonight it could be so far, provided the club wins at home against Jong PSV.

“The importance of the match is clear,” striker Samuel Armenteros told RTV Oost. “For the whole city, the club and us as players. Enough has been said about it and I personally cannot wait for the match to start, because we are looking forward to it.”

The last few weeks have been a bit more difficult for Heracles. There were only minimal wins (1-0) against Roda JC and Helmond Sport. “But in those two games we got six points,” Armenteros stressed. “And in those games I also saw a fighting spirit, which I did miss before in some duels that we did win 7-1.”

Now the club is on the threshold of the premier league. Still, according to Armenteros, that has not been an easy task: “After the relegation we experienced last season, people said: we have to turn our heads and bring the club back. Those are nice words, but in the end you have to do it. There is also pressure involved in that.”

The 32-year-old striker from Sweden was up for that challenge. “With the qualities we have within our club, I didn’t feel we had to fear that. That’s why I signed on at the time: to finish it.”

“I couldn’t leave Heracles Almelo with relegation after a short period of three months. I wanted to be part of the group to put that right. We still have to do it first now, but talking about it is not really my style. I just want to play that match.”

With a win, Heracles is sure of second place and promotion to the premier league. Even with a draw or a defeat, Heracles can already be promoted tonight, but will depend on the result of Almere City FC, which plays an away match against TOP Oss.

Only if Almere City takes more points than Heracles tomorrow, promotion will be postponed for a while.