Club took its first prize of the season with the Super Cup after a 1-0 win against Gent. Brand-new dad Hans Vanaken played the full ninety minutes after two weeks of preparation and now hopes to make strides especially physically.
"Always nice to start the season with a prize. Although it's not as appreciated as it should be. Any prize you can grab, you have to go for it full time. It's nice for the group and it gives confidence to start the season with this prize. I myself have only played forty-five minutes in the preparation, it was good for me to be able to play more. I know myself that it still has to improve, physically it can still grow. I'm just happy that I was able to complete the ninety minutes."
In the second half, you could see the fatigue on the field. "It was hot, it's logical that physically you're not at your best level yet. The first half we gave a lot, put a lot of pressure for the first thirty minutes. We held our lead well in the second half and got the prize. Soccer wise it could be better and physically it can grow. A lot of internationals are only two weeks in, it will be fine."
Carl Hoefkens took over from Alfred Schreuder as coach. Vanaken sees the new coach mainly building on the foundations of his predecessor. "The coach wants small different details than before. It is some building on what we have done in the last six months. He was also assistant to Alfred Schreuder and could agree with that soccer. He will continue on that with different emphases. In two weeks it is difficult to master those automatisms already. Next week it will only improve by training together. At training you see that everyone can contribute to this group, each in their own way. I've only been here for two weeks. I haven't seen much yet, but I can see the qualities they have."
Club announced the arrival of Casper Nielsen just before the Super Bowl. "He is more than welcome, he showed last year how good he is. I think extra competition anywhere always benefits the team. Keep it coming, hopefully he can do the same here as he did at Union."
Next week the league starts. "Genk is still a week away, we have plenty of time to prepare. We're going to enjoy this a bit first. From Wednesday we'll work toward Genk."
Vanaken became a father to Romée this week. "Fatherhood, that's the most beautiful thing there is. No prize can match that. Having a daughter is the most beautiful thing there is and I enjoy it to the fullest together with my wife. It is a lot of fun to experience this. So far, no sleepless nights, it's not too bad. If necessary, I will be there. I'll do my best to combine it." (KN)