Trainer Anthony Correia is overjoyed after Telstar reached the playoff final for promotion at the expense of FC Den Bosch (2-1) on Friday. The coach is glad he waited a bit longer to substitute standout Youssef El Kachati.
El Kachati had already equalized for Telstar against Den Bosch from the penalty spot. The tired forward was ready to be substituted in extra time, but Correia decided to wait a bit longer. El Kachati then initiated Danny Bakker’s decisive 2-1 goal with a fine dribble. That was enough after the 0-0 draw in the first leg.
“I actually wanted to substitute him,” Correia said to ESPN afterwards. “I said to him: ‘Buddy, I’m going to substitute you. You have one more action.’ And then he made that dribble and he could come off. That’s unique, how do you come up with something like that? This guy is a joy to watch.”
That Telstar secured the 2-1 lead was also thanks to goalkeeper Ronald Koeman junior. “I think we have one of the best goalkeepers in the league this season,” the coach continues. “It will be difficult to keep such a guy. He is still under contract with us for another year. I hope he completes that year properly.”
Correia was less pleased with the misconduct of supporters on the field afterwards. “I think it’s so sad. The stadium speaker even says: don’t come onto the field. But then you know it will be a mess. You know the Den Bosch supporters. They are not the easiest. Super stupid.”
Telstar will play FC Dordrecht or Willem II in the playoff final. Those clubs will play the second match on Saturday. Telstar opens the final double-header on Thursday at 8:00 PM at home. The return leg in Dordrecht or Tilburg is on Sunday, June 1 and starts at 6:00 PM.