Due to the battlefield that has already been created in the KNVB Cup, after years in which the cup final was mainly a party for the top clubs, there is a golden opportunity for a smaller club to advance to the final battle.
NEC acquisition Tjaronn Chery knows how great it is to be in the final, because the midfielder captured the Dennenappel with FC Groningen in 2015 by beating PEC Zwolle in the final. With his new club NEC he hopes to qualify for the semi-finals on Tuesday at the expense of ADO Den Haag (starting at 8 p.m.).
“I know how nice it is to play and win a cup final. It was a fantastic experience. I hope to be able to experience it again,” said the now 35-year-old Chery, who is back on the Dutch fields after eight and a half years and has made a great first impression. He scored for his new club both last week against Go Ahead Eagles and last weekend against Heracles Almelo. “It’s nice to be able to start like this. This immediately gives you a good feeling. I immediately felt very much at home here. It is a fun group to play in and there is a lot of football in it.”
Watchful
If the draw goes well, the road to the first cup final for NEC since 2000 seems to be open. The NEC, which is in good shape, is on paper the favorite against ADO, although the people of The Hague are also making progress in the first division, as evidenced by the current top ranking. As a former ADO player, Chery is vigilant. “We should not think that it will be easy because it is a club from the Kitchen Champion Division. We just have to be super sharp.”
Chery made his debut almost sixteen years ago and, as a 35-year-old, he makes a driven impression after all his wanderings in recent years, which took him to England, China, Turkey and Israel. “I feel very fit and hope to continue as long as possible. Every country has its own charm. Highlights for me as a footballer were the time I spent with the Dutch team in 2015 and my goal last season with Maccabi Haifa against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. That is one of the most beautiful things you can experience as a footballer. Also very nice later for my children.”
Health problems of the youngest
Family circumstances have caused Chery to temporarily interrupt his contract period in Israel and return to the Netherlands. “My youngest, who is five months old, has health problems. I’m positive about it, he’s doing well now, but we still have to wait for some tests. For that reason, my wife and three children had returned to the Netherlands from Israel and I really wanted to be with my family again in this situation, so that I could support my wife and children. When I am with my family I feel good and then I can bring out the best in myself.”