TEN QUESTIONS FOR MARCEL DE JONG Canada - Feature | Posted on Sep 1/09 by Steven Bottjer

Rednation Online recently had the opportunity to speak with Marcel de Jong, a young Canadian defender who plays with the Canadian Men's National Team and with Roda JC of the Dutch Eredivisie. De Jong has represented Canada at all levels from U-17 up to his current role as left back/midfielder for the Senior team. In the fall 2006 there was speculation De Jong would possibly end up playing for the Netherlands, but almost a year later to the date, made his commitment to Canada, and on November 20, 2007 attained his first senior cap against South Africa. Unfortunately for De Jong, this absence from his domestic club resulted in him being benched for several games.

Marcel developed in Holland, coming up through the PSV youth system. In 2004 he played for the Eerste Divise (2nd Division) side Helmond Sport. Two years later he made the jump to the Eredivisie, signing with Roda JC. Roda JC has enjoyed a lengthy spell of 37 years in the top division that almost ended last season when they finished 16th. The 16th and 17th placed teams enter into a relegation play-off with the top two teams of the Eerste Divisie. Roda JC was able to defeat Dordrecht and Cambuur to remain in the top division.

Rednation Online and Marcel discuss his experiences playing in the Netherlands and for Canada, as well as his experiences playing at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

Rednation Online: Congratulations on a great personal and team performance with Canada at the recent Gold Cup. What do you think were some of the reasons that Canada played so well?

Marcel de Jong: I think it was because we do have good players and we had a very good focus for this tournament. Also, winning the first match, that was very good for our confidence in terms of the rest of the tournament.

Rednation Online: In many ways, the 2009 Gold Cup allowed followers of the Men's National Team to get their first look at the next generation of the Canadian back line, with players such as yourself, Andrew Hainault and Dejan Jakovic. What are your thoughts on the future of the Canadian team?

Marcel de Jong: I think that we have a good generation coming up to play for Canada - in the midfield, up front and in the back line. The Gold Cup was a good tournament for some of the young players because it allowed them to play significant and meaningful minutes, as well as to show everybody that they are ready to play and contribute even more in the future.

Rednation Online: You were born in Canada, but were also eligible to play for Holland through your parents. What were the considerations that made you ultimately decide to play for the Canadian Men's National Team as opposed to the Oranje?

Marcel de Jong: The main thing for me in deciding to play for Canada was that I want to play soccer as much as I can and the opportunities to play for the Netherlands were quite limited. I have to say that I have no regrets about the choice I made.

Rednation Online: You started out your career as a left winger and were later converted to a left back. What were some of the challenges related to making that switch? Do you prefer playing one position over the other?

Marcel de Jong: Four years ago in a match our left back got a red card and we had already made three substitutions. So the coach put me at the left back position and I did very well in that game and also in the next game. Since then I have been playing left back. At the moment I prefer to play left back, but I can also play in the midfield, so that's also an option for me.

Rednation Online: You grew up in Holland and now play professionally in the Dutch Eredivisie. Was that something that you have always aspired to?

Marcel de Jong: Since I was young I knew what I wanted and that was to be a professional soccer player. So I can say that my dream has come true.

Rednation Online: If you hadn't played soccer you would have been a....?

Marcel de Jong: I think I would still be in sports - maybe a physiotherapist with a soccer team or some other sport.

Rednation Online: The career of a professional football player is one in which many top players at some point in their career ply their trade in Europe's other top leagues, such as La Liga, the Bundesliga, Serie A, and the English Premier League. Have you ever considered playing in a different league? Is that a challenge that you would consider at some point in your career?

Marcel de Jong: This is the last year of my contract with my current club (FC Roda). So maybe next year I'll go to a different league. I do want to play in the Bundesliga, so we'll see what happens next year.

Rednation Online: Who were some of your football idols while growing up?

Marcel de Jong: I never really had specific idols but if I have to choose one, I'll pick Marc Overmars. He had a similar style to me and he had a nice career.

Rednation Online: As a young player, what are the parts of your game that you still need to work on? What do you consider to be your greatest strengths as a player?

Marcel de Jong: I have to improve my right foot, as it's still not good enough. And I have to talk more during the game. My main strengths are that I have a good drive forward and I never give up. And I have a very good left foot.

Rednation Online: What is your favourite stadium you've been in as either a player or fan?

Marcel de Jong: The nicest stadium I have played in was the stadium of Feyenoord when we played the Cup final. It was amazing to play in front of 50,000 fans. But the best stadium is, of course, Camp Nou!!!!

2009 Gold Cup: Canada 2 - 2 Costa Rica: De Jong Goal

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