Feyenoord continues to be in freefall, having gone six games without a win (two draws and four defeats). However, the setback in the Rotterdam derby against Sparta (3-4) was good news: the first-team debut of Shaqueel van Persie (London, 16-11-2006)
His surname and place of birth do not deceive. He is the son of Robin, former Arsenal striker and current Feyenoord coach. His father opted to bring him on in desperation in the 63rd minute, with the score at 0-2, and ‘S. Van Persie’, as the name on the back of his shirt reads alongside the number 49, did not disappoint.
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Shaqueel, who came with the endorsement of his 21 goals in 21 games with Feyenoord’s U17s, made his debut as a goalscorer with the first team – he had previously only played 18 minutes in three games – in style, with a spectacular brace
Van Persie Jr. scored the 2-3 in the 87th minute with a back-heel shot from a ‘death pass’ by Quinten Timber and scored the momentary 3-3 in the 88th minute, only 94 seconds later, with a bicycle kick from a cross by Luciano Valente. The delirium at De Kuip, including Robin, was total. That’s why the 3-4 by Kitolano in the 93rd minute was like a ‘cold shower’.
“We would have loved to have Shaqueel van Persie on camera, but he has just indicated that he does not want to give an interview,” said Sinclair Bischop, presenter of ‘ESPN’. “Shaqueel’s goals are so beautiful that there is no defence,” admitted Maurice Steijn, Sparta’s coach
Shaqueel’s goals are so beautiful that there is no defense
“He only knows how to score beautiful goals, like his father”
“Nobody could ignore Shaqueel van Persie from Feyenoord. Like his father, he only knows how to score beautiful goals. The backheel and the bicycle kick were top notch, really extraordinary,” confessed Ruben Schaken, formerly of Feyenoord, to justify his decision to include him in the ‘Team of the Week’.
“He has incredible talent. He is very complete. He just needs to stay fit, as he was prone to injury,” said former Barcelona player Ibrahim Afellay, who worked as Van Persie’s assistant in Feyenoord’s youth academy, after Shaqueel’s debut
He has incredible talent. He’s very complete. He just needs to stay fit, as he was prone to injury
“It’s incredibly difficult for him. Every time Shaqueel comes in, he’s asked the same questions. I understand that he’s tired, but it is what it is,” said Pierre van Hooijdonk, Feyenoord legend
“We’ve been working together for a long time”
That’s right. Robin prefers not to make distinctions: “I’m doing my job and ‘Shaq’ is doing his job. Nothing more and nothing less. He is one of my players, that’s how I treat him and that’s how he wants to be treated. I consider all my players as my children. From now on, let’s say I don’t have just one son, but 25″
I consider all my players as my children. From now on, let’s say I don’t have just one child, but 25
A thesis shared by Shaqueel: “We’ve been working together for a long time. It’s nothing new for us. It’s special, because you don’t see it often, but for us it has become normal. It’s a job”. The Van Persie saga continues
