NEC goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen responded once more after the win over RKC Waalwijk on the awful news he received from Orange goalkeeper coach Frans Hoek. The bewildered goaltender focused on Hoek’s phone chat.
“The blow affects you more because you didn’t see it coming,” Cillessen revealed to VI. “I knew you had an issue when you get a call. When you get a call at 9 a.m., you know what it’s about. You know you never get a call with good news.”
Jasper Cillessen has earned 63 caps with the Dutch national team. He was the number one for Oranje in the 2014 World cup. He started every game for the team guiding them to 3rd position.
Cillessen received a lot of help soon after learning the dreadful news. “I was fortunate to be at the club. I called family and friends to inform them, and I’ve had a lot of support from teammates and the coaching staff since then.” Cillessen was eventually able to shrug it off. “I took a step onto the field and changed my mind. That was simple because it had to be. Today we had to take three points again.”
Still, the shot stopper is aware that a blow is on the way. “I believe the feelings will return in greater force in the following days.” On Friday, the coach asked whether I wanted to play. “That’s exactly what I wanted because I still love football.’
Cillessen enters the World Cup break with a smile and a tear in his eye. When he was serenaded by the crowd, the shot stopper became emotional. “I know why I returned here this summer. The fact that they are so supportive reinforces my gut feeling.”
While the Orange internationals finish three World Cup matches in November, Cillessen is only under the bar again on January 8. The goalkeeper’s former club, Ajax, visits NEC for a home encounter.
