Noa Lang: ‘I used to play for Feyenoord, but I’ve been an Ajax supporter my whole life’

The transition from the Feyenoord academy to Ajax was a sensitive one. But after his impressive starting debut for the Amsterdammers, against FC Twente where he scored a hat trick (2-5), Noa Lang (20) was absolutely sure that as a 14-year-old he had made the right choice. ‘I think I have shown that I am an Ajax player’ says the technical winger, who was interviewed by de Telegraaf.

‘I have played from my 6th until my 14th at Feyenoord and I enjoyed my time there but I’ve always been an Ajacied. I was injected with my love for Ajax by my father.’ Lang notes, who has experienced the hatred between the two clubs personally. ‘I was watching Feyenoord – Ajax in the Kuip and people recognised me. I had to run out of the stadium.’ the winger says with a big smile.

After eight years at the Feyenoord academy, Lang decided to leave for Ajax in 2013. ‘I wanted to chase my dream of playing in Ajax 1. At Feyenoord I used to play with Tahith Chong of Man United, Vente of RKC and Malacia of Feyenoord en still speak them regularly.’

Justin Kluivert

In Amsterdam, his biggest friend became Justin Kluivert. ‘We weren’t allowed to play together during the training, because we would mess around too much. We were always together and were quite a challenge for our trainers. We weren’t aware of the consequences of our actions. Now I am.’

He already has a message from Kluivert after his game versus Twente on Sunday. Not surprisingly Lang is really happy with his starting debut. He does realise the match could have ended totally different, though. ‘I wasn’t very comfortable in the first half of the game. No, those weren’t nerves, because I always play open-mindedly. It just didn’t work out for the whole team and then it’s difficult for a young kid like me. After the 2-0 I got my ass kicked. And that was justified. I shouldn’t play the ball so laconically with my heel. Still, I think they are happy with me now’, says the scorer of the 2-1, 2-2 and 2-4. ‘This is a boy’s dream. They weren’t the most difficult goals. Sometimes you get a bit lucky.’

Historical debut

The match versus FC Twente became a historical starting debut for Lang. The last Ajacied who scored a hat-trick on his debut was Henk Groot in 1959, 60 years ago. ‘I had to wait a long time and, frankly, that was difficult for me. But you can see that patience is rewarded. I had a difficult time because I didn’t play much. Now I hope to make many minutes in the coming weeks.’ Because of the injuries of David Neres, Zakaria Labyad and now Quincy Promes that chance is very big. ‘I have to continue this form’, says Lang, who acknowledges that he isn’t the easiest player.

‘I know for myself that I could have done things more sensibly’, he refers to the ‘dumb’ red card he got against Excelsior in Jong Ajax and – when asked for it – to the time Erik ten Hag sent him away from the training of Ajax 1 because of a disposable gesture. ‘But today I got my chance and took it’.

The winger is also critical on his form on the pitch. ‘I have to get more consistent, especially without the ball. I should get better at pressing the opponent.’ Also, the condition of Lang isn’t optimal. ‘If I had cramps? Most definitely, in my calves and my groin. I’m not used to playing full matches because at Jong Ajax I’m only allowed to play for an hour before I get subbed off.’

Long knows what needs to happen. ‘Keep training hard and play a lot of matches, then I’ll get where I want to be.’