Crysencio Summerville enjoys Cape Verde stunt: ‘I’m definitely going to call a few boys’ | Sport

Cape Verde’s mega stunt against Spain was also greeted with cheers in the Dutch selection. Several internationals from both countries are good friends. “I think it’s great, this 0-0,” says attacker Crysencio Summerville. “Several boys come from my neighborhood from Rotterdam. They are also living a boyhood dream by now being at the World Cup, just like me.”

Crysencio Summerville was a little late for the interview session with Dutch media this Monday afternoon. ‘Did you definitely watch the final phase of Cape Verde first?’ is his first question. The right winger of 24 grins. And then says that he would have liked to watch, but of course his own training took precedence.

“But I will definitely watch the summary. What a stunt. Draw against Spain, on a country’s debut at a World Cup! I think it’s great and I’m definitely going to call a few boys to congratulate them and say I’m proud of them.”

He himself has also been inundated with phone calls and messages after his own wonderful World Cup debut, against Japan on Sunday. Until two weeks ago, Summerville had never played a single minute in the Dutch national team. Now he has one goal after three international matches and he plays as a right winger with a flair as if he has not done anything else in the Dutch team for years.

“I have received a lot of messages from those close to me, from old trainers, friends and family. I haven’t been able to respond to everything yet. I still have to let it all sink in. This World Cup start is a moment of realization, I know how far I have come and what I have had to do and not do to get there.”

After his goal against Japan, he got down on his knees on Sunday. On the field, he pointed upwards with two fingers in the air. “I am a person who believes that everything comes at the right time, at the right time. People sometimes ask me if I could not have played at this level before, but apparently it must be the case that I am here now. God has this route in mind for me. It is fine.”

At the Dutch team he was immediately included in the club of religious players, of which Cody Gakpo is the helmsman. “We pray together before every game,” Summerville said. “We then say what we wish and want and Cody is our pastor, who leads everything.”

“Although I am new to the Dutch team, a number of boys are not new to me. I have known Ryan (Gravenberch), Brian (Brobbey) and the Timber brothers for a long time, we became European champions together with the Dutch Under 17 team. Our mothers also get along well with each other. I also see the mother of Jurriën and Quinten as my mother. That’s what I call her.”

Before the World Cup match against Japan, the West Ham United striker also specifically turned to his grandmother in thoughts. “She passed away two years ago. I still talk to her when I pray. She certainly would have been proud of me.”

The Dutch team will now work towards the second group match against Sweden. It will be played next Saturday in Houston. Does Summerville feel that he has already definitively played his way into Ronald Koeman’s starting line-up? “That is of course up to the trainer,” he says. “But it is also up to me. I have to show why I belong in the base. Hopefully that worked against Japan.”