Calvin Verdonk Ambitious Back To The Peak Of Appearance

Calvin Verdonk wants to get his regular place again at NEC Nijmegen (Instagram/@c.verdonk).

JAKARTA - Calvin Verdonk is trying to get back to his best performance with NEC Nijmegen.

Since the ninth week of Eredivisie 2024/2025, he has never performed fully. Verdonk has only played 17 minutes against Heerenveen and 45 minutes against Almere City who was defended by Thom Haye.

In those two matches, Calvin Verdonk played as a substitute.

Likewise in the latest match at the KNVB Beker (Dutch League Cup). When facing his partner in the Indonesian national team, Eliano Reijnders, who defended PEC Zwolle, Verdok only went down in the 58th minute.

Even though he only played 32 minutes, the 27-year-old left-back still performed solidly. He helped NEC win over Zwolle 4-3 on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, early in the morning WIB.

"We are a little inconsistent this season. It's great to be able to win today."

"We know that the League Cup is a very important stage. NEC in the League Cup has always been a spectacle," Verdonk said after the match as reported by Gelderland.

NEC's victory has indeed relieved Verdok. You see, the orphanage can win again after losing against Almere City at Eredivisie.

However, Verdok's ambition is to return to his regular place that Thomas Ouwejan currently occupies.

"If you don't play, you're not happy. It's fun playing in extra time."

"I'm back in a duel, aggressive in defending and providing some good passes. I've given my calling card," said Verdink excitedly returning to top performance.

Calvin Verdonk is starting to lose competition with Ouwejan. In fact, since the beginning of the season he has always been trusted to occupy the core left-back post and even appear full.

In eight matches of Eredivisie before Verdonk lost his regular place, he always played 90 minutes.

Returning to regular places is not only an ambition for the club. Verdonk also wants to return to its top performance so that it can help the Indonesian national team in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification.