All the clichés were true for three-time international Joep Troost on Wednesday. The Pro League game with Ireland (2-0) was his first Dutch appearance in eighteen months and his very first in front of his own public. It was an evening that was almost perfect. With a lot of family in the stands. Goosebumps at the national anthem. Only a goal was missing on the day of his Wagener debut.
About an hour before the game, Troost took a look around the stadium. With a few teammates he walked up. To the highest rows of the main stand. Meters above the dugout, he looked at the field. Did he see the packed stands, which were bright orange. The Orange Ladies were still playing against Spain. Comfort seized his moment. ‘I wanted to see how crowded it was. Get a feeling. I couldn’t wait then to be there myself.’
He tells it later that night with a broad smile. Just got a marker in his hand from a KNHB employee to sign with. The 23-year-old striker also has children waiting along the boarding. ‘Playing an international in my own country, that’s the best thing there is. I don’t think I’ve ever played a match in front of so many spectators either,’ they still sound full of amazement. ‘Here in this stadium. In my own country. Everyone there for me. My parents. My aunt, niece and my friends. They were all together in the stands across from the dugouts.’ Then that one sentence, bursting with gratitude. ‘I am heartily glad I could give this to them.’
The Consolation fans did have to be patient. ‘My family also had tickets for our first two games. But of course I didn’t participate in those. Fortunately, those could be resold to other parents. Instead, through teammates, I arranged for extra tickets for today. Everyone always gets a few for family. After I heard I was going to play, I was able to get a dozen or so.’
Photo: Willem Vernes
All this attention did not leave the Amsterdam native cold. ‘I was quite nervous, also because there were so many acquaintances there. When I walked onto the field I saw them standing there. At the national anthem as well. I found those the most beautiful moments. Walking into the full stadium and then the national anthem. And those nerves were gone immediately when I entered the field after a few minutes. I didn’t have time for that at all.’
He had two more chances to brighten up that memorable evening with a goal. A penalty corner and a shot opportunity, both in the second half. Especially that cracked shot – which did result in a corner – disappointed Troost a bit. ‘I lifted it. Shot well with a high backhand. Everything was going well. I hit it perfectly. I thought: this is the moment. But yes, it hit a foot. Fine that it resulted in a corner, but of course I was hoping for more.’
So it had been a while since Troost had played an international. His first two were in December 2023 in Argentina’s Santiago del Estero, also for the Pro League. A flash debut, in which he also scored the winning goal in his second match – against Great Britain. After that, things got a little quieter around Troost in the Oranje. At the beginning of 2024, he was not called up for the internship in South Africa and the subsequent Pro League block. Around the Games, the goalgetter was also not in the picture. Then he struggled with a concussion and a broken nose, which also put a line through last winter’s Pro League adventure.
Photo: Willem Vernes
I had a tough time. I missed a lot of matches, it took quite a long time. When I got back I wanted to be fit as a fiddle. With only one goal: to be back in the national team in the summer. And I have achieved that. I’m actually quite satisfied with that.
He reflects on the exciting period behind him. ‘Maybe I made my debut a little too early. It probably felt a bit like that. It happened so fast. I had just gone from Almere to Pinoké. Made something like twelve, thirteen goals in my first half of the season in the big league. Since those first games in the Orange, I have become fitter and stronger. I went to the gym much more often. I have taken steps in that direction. Now I’m really ready for it.’
Comfort and all his personal fans. Photo: Willem Vernes
Yet this beautiful week also had a dark edge for Troost. He saw his teammate Miles Bukkens drop out with a knee injury. Bukkens must rehab, his field hockey summer hanging by a thread. ‘He’s one of my best friends,’ Troost says. ‘If I don’t begrudge anyone something like that, it’s Miles. He turned in a fantastic season at Pinoké. I think he had a very big chance at the EC. And then this comes at an unfortunate time. As a friend you want to be there for him. But I can’t do much more than a hug and some messages. Unfortunately.
Troost hardly dares to estimate his own chances at the European Championships in August. ‘I really have no idea. The second half of the season I did well, I think. I’m going to see. Try very hard. Then we’ll see.’
After the interview, Troost crosses the field. Towards his own box. Where all those fans are still standing. He hands out a few more autographs. Jumps over the boarding and falls into the arms of his most loyal supporters. On a night that was almost perfect.
by Hockey.nl
