Pleincollege De Burgh in Eindhoven was the two boys’ playground. The school, which they attended from the ages of 10 to 15, was somewhere to discuss football during class and kick a ball around during break.
History, mathematics and physics wouldn’t aid their professional careers. Their dream, mountainous and matching, was to represent the Netherlands in the World Cup.
Teachers may have regarded that as more pipe than possible but, at the age of just 20, one of them did. Memphis Depay, indeed, starred in orange at the FIFA World Cup™ in Brazil.
It may have taken him a decade longer, during which time he began a career in the healthcare industry, but the other has just got to the global finals. And Ismail Ouaddouh has taken his opportunity decisively.
The Netherlands were the lowest-ranked team in an examining Group A. They nevertheless finished it in second, undefeated, five points pocketed, a last-16 showdown with Ukraine set at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™. The unforeseen exploits of the Oranje were indebted to their No10. Ouaddouh bagged a brilliant brace in their 3-3 draw with the hosts, thundered home a volley for the ages as they grabbed a point against Costa Rica, and was at his inventive best as they stunned Paraguay 5-2.
FIFA caught up with the 29-year-old to discuss his heroics in Tashkent, support from Frenkie de Jong and Nigel de Jong, and the clash against Ukraine.
Can you tell us about playing on the same street court as Marco van Basten when you were a kid?
Ismail Ouaddouh: It’s a really special place in my neighbourhood. It’s where a lot of young people start playing. Even the kids today know that Marco van Basten used to play there. It’s something they are proud of: that Van Basten comes from the same neighbourhood they do. It’s something for everyone from Herderplein to be proud of. It was a big thing for me growing up and the presence of Van Basten is still there.
You were in the same PSV youth academy as Memphis Depay. What were you and him like as players back then?
I was always small as a kid. I got my height a lot later. I was a left winger in or the No10. Memphis was our striker. He was about two heads taller than me back then (laughs). He had tremendous talent. He was really strong. He was already very complete. Even if you didn’t know anything about football, you could see what talent Memphis had. We had a good understanding on the pitch and a good connection off it too. We went to the same school. Well, we went to school, but I can’t say me and Memphis did much studying! Our focus in class was football! (laughs)
You were left out of the squad for the last UEFA EURO. How did it feel to be named in the Netherlands squad for Uzbekistan 2024?
It was really special. It was definitely a proud moment. The path to the World Cup was really long and hard. After the first game in qualifying, we couldn’t have imagined we’d end up here, especially in the next round, unbeaten.
Going into the tournament, how nice was it getting good-luck messages from Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders?
It was really special for all of us. We’re feeling a lot of support from the football team. To get special words from these players, especially Frenkie, who’s a world-class player, gave us even more motivation to do well in the tournament. The futsal players always support the football players. It works both ways. It’s really nice.
The Netherlands were the lowest team in Group A on the FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking. Five points is quite something, right?
When the draw was made, we felt we had a chance. We were the lowest-ranked team, but it’s not something we even thought about when we were preparing for the games. We played well in the first two games, we could have got more points out of them, so we felt we were a little bit unlucky. We thought Paraguay were a really strong side before the game, and we felt the same on the court. So to beat them was something amazing. Going unbeaten is something we couldn’t have imagined before the tournament.
You were one of the stars of the group stage. How proud are you with your own performances?
I’m really proud. I’m also really proud of the hard work I put in, not just with the team but in my own time as well. I hired a personal trainer at the start of June. I would go to work, go to training, and then do night-time sessions with my personal trainer. They were very long days, but I think the two Player of the Match awards show it has paid off.
Speaking of those, only Salar Aghapour, Erick and Pito – three of the best players on the planet – and you won two in the group stage. How good does it feel to be in such esteemed company?
I’m really happy and honoured to be named alongside these amazing futsal stars. But I’m staying humble, keeping my head down, working hard for the team. It’s obviously nice to get such an award, but as soon as a match is over, I’m already thinking about the next one and performing as well as I can it in. When I get home, I’m sure I’ll look back at these awards, at my performances, but right now the train is still going and I’m focusing on the next game.
Another Dutchman who has dazzled is Manuel Kuijk. What do you think of him as a goalkeeper?
In one word: unbelievable. It’s not just at this tournament, he’s been doing this for years. I played with him in Dutch competitions with T’ Knooppunt, we became champions together. It’s astonishing what Manuel can do. The Dutch and Belgian leagues aren’t for Manuel. He’s a world-class goalkeeper, he can play at a much higher level. If he gets a little better with his feet, he will be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
What do you think of Ukraine?
They’re a really tough team. They have a lot more experience in these games than we have. But we’re going to put up a fight. We’re coming up with a good gameplan with the coach. We believe we have the ability to make it a really good game. If we do everything as we should, we can beat them.
How nice has it been having Nigel de Jong with you in Uzbekistan?
He’s done so much for futsal in the Netherlands. He’s really done his best to push the sport. We’re all really happy he’s here. He’s really connected to the team, always around us. He’s done so much for the futsal team that we were all desperate to give him something back. Hopefully we’ve done that and we want to do more, so he can go to clubs and other directors and show them that futsal should be improved in the Netherlands. We want to get more and more kids playing the sport.
Do you believe the Netherlands can win a medal at this tournament?
Realistically, there are stronger teams than us. If things go how they should go, the higher-ranked teams will get the medals. But crazy things happen in the World Cup. We will give it everything we have. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming. The dream is there. The fight is there. If I think with my head, no. If I think with my heart, maybe.
