With two goals, Devin Haen shot a disappointing Willem II to a 2-0 victory against FC Dordrecht on Saturday evening. The opening goal came shortly after the substitution of the popular Siegert Baartmans. The 19-year-old striker from Halsteren says he fits perfectly with the Tilburg club. “The supporters want passion, fight and courage, that’s what I stand for.”
When Baartmans came on for captain Jari Schuurman after 76 minutes, there was a loud cheer from the King Willem II Stadium. “Yes, I heard that scream well. It is fantastic that the audience is chanting my name. You never get used to that support from the supporters.”
His popularity is partly because the striker is a real Willem II boy. Eight years ago he exchanged his amateur club RKSV Halsteren for the youth academy of the Tilburg team.
“I am happy with the trust and that I am getting opportunities to play football for this club,” he says. “As a striker, I always try to work hard, they appreciate that. However, the goals still have to come. Sometimes you have a phase where scoring is not possible, but I am sure that will work out.”
His goal production also remained at zero against FC Dordrecht, but partly due to his energy, Willem II eventually won. “We won 7-0 against FC Dordrecht in the cup, but the opponent had analyzed our team well. Today was difficult, but in the end we managed to reward ourselves.”
That Willem II has confidence in the striker is evident from the fact that Baartmans recently signed a contract until mid-2027. Becoming a basic player at his club is goal number one, but Baartmans wants more. “I started playing football as a little boy because I wanted to make it to the Dutch national team one day. That dream is still there.”
Haen golden boy with two goals
Devin Haen was decisive for Willem II with two goals. Like a real striker, he was in the right place twice in the last fifteen minutes. “It was a difficult match in which we had luck on our side. From a football perspective, it was sloppy, it looked like we had shit in our pants. But we also have to improve on putting pressure and creating chances. We have to work on that with the entire team.”