“We are extra excited about it.” That is what Martin de Groot, trainer of AVV Swift, has said about the resumption of the football competitions. His team is allowed to play matches again after more than two months. Despite the positive news, he is also skeptical about the KNVB’s plans.
“Finally”, De Groot responds to the news that all amateur competitions are continuing. “It doesn’t matter in which class you play, you always want to play football in a competitive context. You train for that, so it’s very nice.”
Swift’s players are also happy with the relaxation. De Groot: “They have responded very well. We have been training since the weather has been allowed. The attendance and intensity is excellent. Everyone is enthusiastic. We are looking forward to it.”
“It is not entirely responsible. But we all want to play football and I understand that it is urgent”
Yet it is not all hosanna. According to De Groot, the risk of injuries is high. “It is not entirely justified. Normally, after six weeks of rest (summer holidays, ed.) we have a preparation of five or six weeks. Now that is a lot shorter, so I expect a number of injuries. But we all want to play football and I understand that it is urgent.”
19 matches in 5 months
For the team from Amsterdam there is still a long way to go until the end of the season. In a competition with sixteen teams, Swift has only played eleven games. “We still have nineteen games to go. Normally the season lasts until the end of May, but that will be difficult,” the trainer knows. “I am curious about the plans of the KNVB.” The Football Association let know to come up with plans on Friday about promotion/relegation arrangements in all competitions.
“I think we will play football until mid-June. Later is almost impossible, because players then have obligations at other clubs”
De Groot expects that there will be no play-offs after the regular games. “I think we will play football until mid-June. It is almost impossible later, because players then have obligations at other clubs. The champion is promoted and the bottom two are relegated. But corona can also come back. And we can still have to deal with snow, ice and frost, which then again leads to cancellations.”
For AVV Swift, which is eleventh in Saturday’s main division B, the competition continues on February 5.
? Don’t want to miss anything from NH Sport?
- like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter
- Listen every Friday between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. and Sunday between 6 pm and 7 pm to the broadcast on NH Radio
- The talk show ‘De Aftrap’ can be seen every Friday at 6.15 pm, 8.15 pm and 10.15 pm
Seen a typo? Let us know at [email protected]