Year in, year out she competed with Den Bosch for the national title. Sunday afternoon Noor Omrani will be in the final again, but this time with her new club: Rotterdam. And the opponent? Yep, Den Bosch. ‘I grant them everything, but not Sunday afternoon.’
With a smile from ear to ear, Omrani left the field in the Topsportcentrum in The Hague on Saturday afternoon, the sweat still on her forehead. After a mixed indoor season, ‘her’ Rotterdam took the lead on the final day of the regular competition and secured a spot in the semifinals. In the semifinals, the port cities left no doubt as to who deserved a ticket to the title game: Amsterdam was dismissed 4-1.
In the final, Omrani will face a very familiar team. A year and a half ago, she took the national title on the field with Den Bosch, only to say goodbye to top sport – for a year. At Rotterdam, the 24-year-old began her second life in field hockey. A lesser club on paper, but in the hall other laws apply.
The players of Rotterdam celebrate reaching the final. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘I admit, it was a struggle to get to the playoffs. But in the end I think it was really deserved. We have grown tremendously in the season. At every spot we have a very good player. The bottom line in terms of level is high and we know how to utilize each other’s strengths. Tactically everything is also in place. I was confident beforehand that we could go far. That we also show it, is of course very nice.’
Connection
Omrani is an enthusiast. Where on the field she can be found in front, on the court she plays as a left back. ‘At Den Bosch in the hall I was always in midfield. But now someone extra was needed at the back. Why shouldn’t I try that, I thought. I liked it so much that I stayed there. I really enjoy doing more in the build-up now. Of course I don’t score as much, but that doesn’t matter to me. As long as I score.
Yasmin Geerlings and Noor Omrani know how to find each other on the field. Photo: Willem Vernes
The goal production of Yasmin Geerlings is remarkable. She too is new to the Rotterdam squad, having transferred from Hurley. While she hardly ever scored there, Geerlings finished second on the top scorers list this indoor season (fourteen goals) and also managed to score twice in the semifinals, thanks in part to a well-aimed long ball (the cross) from Omrani to Geerlings. ‘With Yasmin in particular, I have a good connection in the field. We make eye contact and then I know where she wants it. That works. But in fact, I feel that connection with the whole team. We’re just super well matched.’
Clever
Where Omrani praises her teammates, her coach Jordy van der Waart does so about his left back. ‘Noor gives at the back what we don’t have with Iris Hollander and Mascha Sterk. They are of the short balls and Noor of the long ones. That allows us to vary a lot. But more importantly: she is a winner. A mentality that she learned at Den Bosch and now transfers within our group. Not letting it go if it’s not going well, but making sure you get better.’
Joy at Rotterdam after a goal by Iris Hollander in the semifinals. Photo: Willem Vernes
‘Did he just say that?” laughed Omrani. ‘I have my steps to take there myself, you know. We support each other where necessary. I did have experience and learned how to win matches. With smarts like holding the ball longer or passing it back instead of entering the duel at the risk of losing the ball, for example. Keeping calm and in control. A maturity that the team picks up very quickly.’
And so Sunday afternoon Den Bosch awaits them. The club she knows like the back of her hand. I have played with everyone. I grant them everything, but not tomorrow. They are the deserved finalist after a top indoor season, but now that we are playing them with Rotterdam, of course I want to win most of all. With patience, good handling speed, fast switching and the combination game we love so much, we definitely have a chance.’
by Hockey.nl
