Canon Lion City Cup fans will not find this Ajax Amsterdam striker unfamiliar. The striker who defies his young age by representing Ajax U-19 team as a 15yrs old, the striker who is constantly a threat to defenders but an asset to a coach, and a striker who simply just can’t stop scoring. So what is the daily training routine of this young talent like? And which is his most memorable game while representing Netherlands Youth? Junpiter Futbol presents to you, the young talent from Netherlands, Ezra Walian.
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JPF: You have established yourself as one of the most outstanding strikers in Canon Lion City Cup last year, and also bagged the top scorer award. What do you think is your greatest attribute as a good striker?
EW: I am never nervous in front of the goal. I have scored over a hundred goals in my youth level of football and attacking the goal once I have receive the ball has become a natural instinct.
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JPF: You have played against Singapore Youth, so what do you think of Singapore Youth’s football standard?
EW: Singapore was much better than I thought, to be honest. They play a very fast game where you could see the transition of the ball play from attack to defense and back to attack, happen in seconds. In terms of physique, both Singapore and Ajax are somewhat similar. However, probably because we trained everyday, our match fitness was much better than Singapore’s as you might have seen in the final. Having said that, if you could recall, we had difficulties in our very first game as we had yet to adapt to the humid weather.
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(Photo: Courtesy of Ezra Walian)
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JPF: As a current Netherlands Youth representative, what is your most memorable game to date?
EW: There are actually 2 games which are memorable to me. The first was against Scotland where I scored an important goal. Next was against Portugal… 4 defenders at the edge of the penalty box had surrounded me; there and then I made a spilt-second decision to lob the goalkeeper from an almost impossible acute angle, and I scored! That was one of my most unforgettable goals to-date!
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JPF: How do you normally prepare yourself prior to a game?
EW: Normally, I would listen to my music in between texting with my family or close friends while on the journey to the game venue together with the team. Upon arrival at the game venue, I would walk around and familiarize myself with the pitch prior to changing. Then, I would usually be either the first or last one to step out of the dressing room and onto the pitch.
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(Photo: Courtesy of Ezra Walian)
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JPF: You left Alkmaar (AZ) for Ajax just 2 weeks prior to Singapore’s tournament last year, what was the reason for your departure from AZ where you had spent 4 years training with?
EW: It has always been a dream for me to play for Ajax. So when the offer came, I was really very happy. Although both my dad and I already knew our decision, we still requested for a week to consider the offer. We also needed some time to inform AZ of our decision too.
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JPF: Are you able to share with our readers on how a typical week of yours is like?
EW: I go to school during the weekdays. After school ends at about 1pm, an Ajax bus will pick me up. Together with the rest of my teammates, we will take a 30mins bus ride to the Ajax Academy where our training will start at 3pm and will train for 2 hours. Thereafter, I would usually hit the gym straight after the training to work on my core muscles. At about 5.45pm, I will wash up and join the team for dinner together. Then all of us will undergo an hour of study which Ajax Academy has arranged for us from 7pm-8pm. Once lessons end, the bus will send each and every one of us back home. Our game days would either be on a Saturday or Sunday. That’s what a typical week for me is like!
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JPF: Which footballer do you look up to for inspiration?
EW: Cristiano Ronaldo! I always watch Real Madrid’s games because of him. He is the type of player who constantly wanted to improve himself. And I think that is very important for a player who wants to be the greatest.
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(Photos: Courtesy of Ezra Walian)
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JPF: We notice you are wearing Adidas football boots.
EW: Yes, I am sponsored by Adidas and my current football boots, Adidas Adizero F50, which I am wearing is extremely comfortable. I received up to 16 pairs of Adidas football boots a season in nearly all sorts of colors with my name and Netherlands’ flag. My dad always say my room is becoming like an Adidas store soon!
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JPF: What would you be doing on the day when you are not having any football training?
EW: My life is about school and training as you can see from my typical week. It’s only in the weekend where I will get a day off. If Ajax is playing at home, the game will be on Sunday and I will have my Saturday off. If Ajax is playing away, the game will be on Saturday and my off day will be on Sunday. So usually on my off day, I will go to the town with my friends to chill, do some shopping or catch a movie.
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JPF: Say something to our Junpiter Futbol readers?
EW: Thank you Singapore for the wonderful experience last year. I was overwhelmed by the warm reception that I had received during the tournament. Many fans approached me for photos and autographs! If there is an opportunity, I hope that I can play in Singapore again!
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