In 2017 he was celebrating as a NAC supporter on the Grote Markt. Now five years later, Boris van Schuppen wants to be there again, but now as a player for NAC. Before that happens, the Breda residents have to survive three rounds in the play-offs. The midfielder dreams out loud about promotion.
Every time he visits the physiotherapist, he looks at the photo of the ceremony on the Grote Markt in 2017. “I remember exactly where I was. Everyone was wearing yellow but I had a black training shirt. My friends were in white, so you can see exactly where we were.”
“If we win against ADO, something will come to life among the supporters”
The photo reminds Van Schuppen of a beautiful weekend and above all a big party. “I was here in the stands during the home game. I watched the away game on p5 (parking lot at the NAC stadium). It was really magnificent!”
Now the midfielder himself is in the play-offs with NAC. There is little confidence around the club in a good outcome, but that is different within the selection. “They are competitions in themselves. If we beat ADO, something will come to life with the supporters. We also have some experienced guys who have experienced this before. That helps.”
“I sometimes dream of the winning goal in the play-offs”
Van Schuppen himself is only playing his first play-offs. But he made inquiries. “I spoke with Thomas Marijnissen. He was there in 2017. He also said that anything can happen in the play-offs. You often hear that and it sounds cliché, but it is true every year.”
If NAC were to surprise in the play-offs, the resident of Breda has a dream scenario in mind. “I sometimes dream of the winning goal in the play-offs. What does it look like? A bicycle kick against Willem II. But I have to admit that those dreams don’t always come true,” says Van Schuppen with a laugh.
But if it does happen, one thing has to happen anyway. “That photo at the physio will then be replaced!”