This week we dig into the part ‘Inexperienced as grass‘ every single day in our archives, on the lookout for the primary flashes of sophistication among the many present technology of internationals, then nonetheless with a younger head. On this fifth and closing installment, we conclude with Jonas de Geus, midfielder of Kampong. In 2016, he guided Oranje U18 to the European Championship closing in Cork, Eire. He then got here on the radar of nationwide coach Max Caldas.The nonetheless solely 18-year-old De Geus, along with Derck de Vilder, shaped the defining duo within the midfield of Oranje U18 on the youth EC in Cork. For the mother and father of the eighteen youth internationals who traveled with them, it’s a feast for the eyes. Nationwide coach Bas Bruin even calls it ‘one of the best midfield of the match’.
Regardless of the superb group section, which ended as group winner with seven factors from three matches, the Netherlands balances within the semi-final towards Belgium on the point of elimination. Fifteen minutes earlier than the ultimate sign, the Belgians take the lead by taking pictures 3-2 into the ropes. It’s a sledgehammer blow for the Netherlands. Seven minutes earlier than time begins to expire, when De Geus feels the stress on his shoulders. That is the second he has to face up.
From teammate De Vilder, with whom he captured Olympic gold in Paris eight years later, he receives the ball, within the space between the 23-meter line and the middle line. The gap to the Belgian aim continues to be fairly lengthy. However De Geus does what no different participant on the sphere would do: he units off on a run.
First he passes one man. Then a second. To lastly even move a 3rd man. Defenders he leaves behind him as if their soles have been glued to the pitch. Then he cuts inside and lashes out. Objective: 3-3. One particular person motion by the midfielder hoists the Netherlands again into the lead.
Within the backside row, Jonas de Geus is the fifth individual from the left. Click on on picture to enlarge. Picture: Koen Suyk
Shoot-out
When the ultimate sign sounds seven minutes later, the rating continues to be tied. Shoot-outs should now determine which nation reaches the ultimate. Once more, De Geus takes his accountability. He fooled the Belgian goalkeeper with a flip and scored. A save by goalkeeper Hidde Brink on the fifth Belgian shoot-out leads the Dutch to the ultimate.
Coolly, De Geus mentioned after the sport, “I’m by no means involved with pressure and really all the time do the identical factor. I run to the goalie and switch in. Then you have got two choices, flip left or proper. Make a number of shines, it’s so simple as that. For those who preserve that in your head, it’s not troublesome.’
The portrait picture taken of Jonas de Geus previous to the EKU18 in Cork. Picture: Koen Suyk
After the U18 European Championship, issues are going quick for De Geus
Regardless of his heroic function within the semifinals, De Geus can not stop the European Championship gold from slipping between the fingers of the Netherlands. Within the closing towards Germany, the Netherlands sees its ambitions run aground with a 4-3 defeat. However Almere’s prime expertise has positively made his identify.
After the youth EC, De Geus’ profession shoots up like a rocket. First, he’s chosen for the World Cup in India with the Dutch Junior Crew a number of months later, the place the Netherlands disappoints with a seventh place end. Then {the teenager} receives an invite from Max Caldas for the coaching camp of the massive Dutch nationwide crew, in South Africa. And all that earlier than the tip of the calendar yr.
It’s the starting of a superb worldwide profession, which already counts 147 worldwide matches. Though it will likely be some time earlier than he reaches 150: Tuesday it was introduced that De Geus will miss the European Championship in Mönchengladbach, partly as a consequence of a knee damage.
This was the final episode on this column. Learn again all episodes right here.
