More Brinkman power for Dutch

Indervir Grewal

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 10

The Netherlands got off to a cracking start to the tournament with a 7-2 win over Malaysia. They were led by captain Thierry Brinkman, who scored a goal and was named the Man of the Match.

Applauding him from the stands was the Dutch great Floris Jan Bovelander. Later, the Olympics and World Cup gold-medallist went to the edge of the turf and patted the youngster on the back.

“He plays for my club,” said Bovelander, technical director of Amsterdam-based club HC Bloemendaal, where Brinkman, 21, plays. “He is very talented and has also played in the senior team.”

Bovelander has another connection to Brinkman. The penalty corner specialist played with Thierry’s father, Jacques, who is another Dutch great. Bovelander and Jacques were in the team that won the 1990 World Cup and 1996 Olympics gold.

“Yeah, it’s nice to see a son of a teammate play for the Netherlands,” said Bovelander. “His father was obviously a great player but Thierry is a completely different player than his father.”

Jacques, who won two Olympics gold and played 337 international matches, making him the Netherlands’ most capped player, was a “hard midfielder”, according to Thierry.

Has he watched him play or videos of his? “Yes, I saw a few videos of his. I saw videos of the 1990 World Cup in Pakistan, him playing in front of huge crowds,” he said.

Did it change the way he looked at his father? “Yes. And it inspired me, thinking that it would be cool to be there,” added Thierry.

Jacques, a journalist now, lives in Utrecht while Thierry lives in Amsteram. “We have discussions about the game, about what I could have done in a situation,” he said.

“His father comes to almost all of his matches. I don’t know why he hasn’t come here,” said Netherlands coach Eric Verboom.

Does he ever feel the pressure of being such a famous player’s son? “Not at all. He is a relaxed person, really cool,” said Thierry.