PENALTY HERO MAARTEN PAES SPEAKS OF ‘FANTASTIC DAY’ AS AJAX REACH EUROPE
Maarten Paes, the talented Indonesian goalkeeper for Ajax, relished a “fantastic day” after his team secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League following a nail-biting victory in a penalty shootout against FC Utrecht. The match, which took place on a recent Sunday, showcased the resilience and determination of Ajax as they battled through a tense game.
In a gripping encounter where neither Ajax nor FC Utrecht could find the net during regular play, the game ended with a 1-1 draw after extra time. This led to the dramatic penalty shootout which would ultimately decide who would advance to the second round of the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. Paes emerged as the undeniable hero of the day by successfully saving two crucial penalties, ensuring Ajax avoided the grim prospect of a season without European competition for the first time since 1990.
STRATEGIC PREPARATION FOR SUCCESS
Reflecting on the shootout, Paes expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “A penalty shoot-out is always great when you can come out on top. Luckily, I managed to save two.” His performance was nothing short of remarkable, especially considering the stature of the players he faced. The first save came against Sebastien Haller, a noted penalty specialist with an impressive record of 31 successful conversions out of 33 attempts in his career.
To prepare for the penalty, Paes conducted extensive research on Haller’s previous performances. He noted the striker’s tendencies and recounted, “I tried saying a few things to him, and I knew he always makes that save. So if you make a sort of feint, you might be able to influence him.” Beyond just Haller, Paes also drew from his past experience, recalling moments from Haller’s earlier missed penalties to gain an edge in the high-pressure situation.
DELIVERING UNDER PRESSURE
For his second crucial save, Paes faced Souffian El Karouani, renowned for his talent in converting free kicks. Paes strategized, keeping in mind Karouani’s kicking style, and anticipated, “He often takes his free kicks like that. So I thought: he’ll probably take his penalties over his standing leg as well. And with a bit of that curl, too.” This level of tactical preparation showcased Paes’ commitment and focus, as he was determined to lead his team to victory.
A TEAM DEFINED BY RESILIENCE
The stakes were high for Ajax, who entered the playoffs after finishing disappointingly in fifth place in the Dutch Eredivisie. Despite the earlier setbacks and the additional challenge of playing away from their home ground—due to Harry Styles’ concert obstructing access to the Johan Cruyff ArenA—Paes highlighted the team’s singular focus on triumph. “When you go into the play-offs, you want to win them,” he remarked. “I think we’ve turned these two matches into a real celebration here in Volendam. It’s been fantastic, together with the fans.”
With notable performances on Thursday and Sunday, the team’s spirit and unity were undoubtedly elevated, providing them with the motivation to push forward despite a challenging season. Paes encapsulated the sentiment of the team perfectly when he expressed gratitude for their devoted supporters: “It’s fantastic that they’ve given us such a boost, despite how the season has gone.”
