Telstar Could Smell an UpSet on Sunday Visiting Ajax, But The Promoted Team Did Not Seize The Opportunities and Lost 2-0. Afterwards, there was disappointment about the failure to achieve an upset, but pride prevailed. “We have Delivered Our Business Card.”
When Striker Milan Zonneveld Walks Onto the Field of the Johan Cruijff Arena Shortly After 1.30 pm on Sunday, He turns head to the right to see his girlfriend. She is in The ‘Tunnel Club’, a Catering Establishment Right Next to the Ajax Player Tunnel.
Zonneveld can only vaguely see his girlfriend through the tinted glass. “But she saw me sharply,” Says Zonneveld Laughing. “She just sent me a video of the moment. It was nice relaxation before the match.”
Just before that, Zonneveld himself Posted a Video on Instagram in which he movies the stands of the arena from the field. It is all part of the ‘arena experience’ of the striker, Who Exchanged Amateur Club Quick Boys for Telstar This Summer.
Zonneveld Already Signed with Telstar When The Club was still a First Divisionist. On Sunday He Suddenly Plays in the Eredivisie Against Ajax. And Almost a Dream Debut Follows, when he can Suddenly go alone to the keeper after three minutes after a misjudgment by Aaron Bouwman.
But Zonneveld Fails. “Maybe I should have shot just a little earlier,” Says the Striker. Sighing: “It’s a Shame that we don’t take a point here.”
Expectations Were Low
It is that feeling that lingered on Sunday with Telstar, which returned to the highest level after 47 years. ‘The White Lions’ Got Several Imposed Chances, Especialy in the First Half, But Did Not Score.
Shortly After Zonneveld’s Chance, Patrick Brouwer, Who also Came about from Quick Boys, Hit the Post. “I would have loved to cheer here,” Says Brouwer. “Beforehand I thought we might get three chans. But we had six. I was surprised. But that’s why loss feels like a missed opportunity, howver strange that may sound.”
The Expectations of the Promoted Telstar Were Low. The Club Has The Lowest Budget of All Eredivisie Clubs, Not The Required Eighteen Contract Players and the Team Played with Many Former Amateurs. Four Players Were Still Active in the Second Division Last Year, The Highest Amateur Level.
“But we believeed in our chans,” Says Brouwer. “I understand that people think the step from the second division to the arena is big. I think so too. But with Quick Boys we Knocked out three professional clubs last year. We were able to keep up as amateurs then.”
Brouwer Saw That Telstar Bit Back Fiercely. “You know that you get room to play football in the Eredivisie. Ajax was also high, so there were opportunities. And we can also play good football, so we can benefit from that.”
‘I am Extremely Proud of Those Guys’
The only thing that Telstar Lacked was a goal. Zonneveld Got Two More Chances After the Break, But Encountered Ajax Goalkeeper Víteszlav Jaros. “He CAUGHT A BALL A FEW TIMES … I was really surprised,” Says Zonneveld. “That child of rescue is Perhaps the Difference between the Eredivisie and the Second Division.”
Given the Opportunities – Telstar had Eighteen Shots on Goal – Trainer Anthony Correia Could Hardly Believe that his team had not scored. But he did Enjoy the many attacks. “In December we play Against Ajax in the Cup (2-0, ed.). Then our expected goalue was 0.08,” He says.
“That Value was much highher today (at 1.08, ed.). That characterizes the development we have gone through. Of course, I also think it’s a shame that we did’s score. But that’s a piece of quality.
But Telstar had Courage and Bravado, Just Like Last Year in the Kitchen Champion Division. “I am very satisfied with that. The scoring just didn’t work. But I am extremely proud of those guys.”
‘Never Been So Anti-Ajax’
Despite Their Lack of Experience, Those ‘Guys’ Did Not Seem Nervous Before the Duel with Ajax. Zonneveld Only Felt a Little Tension when he entered the arena. “The trainer Said in Advance.” Pressure is Something You Impose on Yourself. ” That helped. “
The Striker from Beverwijk Especally Enjoyed the Experience in the Stadium Where he has leg more often as a spectator. “My Parents, Stepfather, Brother, Girlfriend and Parents-in-Law Were there. Debuting in the Arena is a Dream Come True.”
For Correia it was also a special duel. “I or sit here in the stands and think ajax is a great club. But today I thought: We’re going to get you. I’ve never leg so anti-ajax as duration this match. Unfortunately, it just didn’t work out.”
Yet August 10, 2025 Became An Unforgettable Day in the History of Telstar, Says Correia. “But you know, I hope that every game of Our be unforgettable this season. We have delivered our business card to the premier division.”