He didn’t play goalkeeper for almost two years due to injuries, but Yanick van Osch (29) is trusted as RKC Waalwijk’s first goalkeeper in the play-offs. In the first round against Roda JC he crowned himself a hero by saving two penalties in the penalty series. “But we don’t have anything yet, we are here with a purpose,” says the new dad from Den Bosch.
After a serious knee injury, Yanick van Osch’s employment with RKC Waalwijk seemed to be quietly ending. In the last competition match against Jong PSV, he was surprisingly given a starting place by coach Sander Indische. The native of Den Bosch is also behind the bar in the play-offs. With success, because in the return against Roda JC on Friday evening he was the star. He kept his goal clear just before the end of a huge chance and in the penalty series he saved two penalties.
“It’s a good feeling that I can be important to the team. Like that opportunity just before the end, I threw myself at it and immediately felt that the ball wasn’t going in,” Van Osch said afterwards. “Penalties are a bit about feeling. I had information about the regular penalty takers, but almost all of them were no longer on the field. One was and I took it.”
Van Osch had no longer expected that the decision would be made by taking penalties. Deep into extra time it was 0-1 for Roda JC. “We were pressing for so long, but then it arrived so late. I don’t really know what to say, we were so happy.”
In any case, these are good weeks for Van Osch. He recently became the father of a son. “I think I can get out tonight for the little one,” he says, laughing.
“This victory is very empowering.”
Great matches await RKC Waalwijk on Tuesday and Saturday, because the derby against Willem II is scheduled for the second round of the play-offs. “The cities are next to each other, which is nice for the supporters. Willem II has had an extra week of rest, but this victory gives us a lot of strength. We are going to make sure we win the next three rounds as well.”
Trainer Sander Indische was very happy with the win afterwards. “I have almost never been so happy in my life,” he even said. German calls it wonderful that Van Osch was the standout player. “If I wish this for anyone, it would be Yanick. If you see where he comes from, how hard he worked every day and was there for others, then I am very happy for him.”
