Go Ahead Eagles' Win Over Aston Villa to be Remembered for Long Time - Coach
The thrilling 2-1 victory of Go Ahead Eagles over Aston Villa in the Europa League brought the Dutch city of Deventer to tears of joy, with coach Melvin Boel describing it as a moment that will be etched in their memories forever.
This remarkable win saw the team fighting back from an early goal down to triumph over the Premier League outfit, sparking frenzied celebrations at their 10,400-capacity stadium, De Adelaarshorst...
Go Ahead Eagles' coach Melvin Boel believes their stunning 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Europa League will leave a lasting legacy in the Dutch city of Deventer. The victory was marked by intense celebrations at the 10,000-capacity De Adelaarshorst stadium.
The win was particularly sweet for Boel, who faced off against renowned manager Unai Emery. “This isn't just any manager you beat, and for me, it's a dream to stand next to him and even beat him,” Boel said, highlighting the significance of the victory.
Captain Mats Deijl's impressive performance, including scoring the winning goal, showcased the team's determination. “The charm of football is that you never know how things will go,” Deijl said, reflecting on the match's unpredictable nature.
The win has propelled Go Ahead Eagles to six points from three games, exceeding expectations. Boel praised his team's resilience, saying, “We had nothing to lose... But there always has to be faith. No matter how small. You don't have to give up until the very last whistle.”
“This isn't just any manager you beat, and for me it's a dream to stand next to him, and even beat him,” he said at the post-match press conference.
“We had nothing to lose. Of course, we knew it would be incredibly difficult. But there always has to be faith. No matter how small. You don't have to give up until the very last whistle. We tried to hold on to that little bit of faith.”
“As a coach or player, you’re fully focused on the game, thinking about what still needs to be done and what adjustments to make,” Boel added.
“But after the final whistle, you look into the stands and see big men hugging, crying, and celebrating. This is something the club and the city will remember for a long time.”
Captain Mats Deijl, who scored the winning goal with a powerful run from right-back, said his team knew Aston Villa would be a tough opponent but they stuck to their plan and maintained their self-belief to secure the 2-1 victory.
Melvin Boel kreeg kippenvel van alle emotie die hij zag op de tribunes. 🥲
— ESPN NL (@ESPNnl) October 23, 2025
"Als je de tranen bij Jan Willem van Dop over zijn wangen ziet lopen, besef je dat er een unieke prestatie is geleverd."
“The charm of football is that you never know how things will go,” he added.
Building on their surprise Dutch Cup win last season—their first trophy in 60 years—Go Ahead Eagles have now pulled off an even bigger coup, defeating Premier League side Aston Villa 2–1 in the Europa League.
“People assumed we wouldn't get many points, if any. I don't blame them, and secretly it wasn't exactly what we were expecting either. But the fact that it turned out this way is wonderful,” Deijl added.
What a result for Go Ahead Eagles 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/FaaOorKi56
— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 23, 2025
No comments:
Leave comment here