Toshio Lake and his teammates thank the fans after the match between Fortuna Sittard and FC Twente in the Netherlands on August 14. (Photo courtesy voetbalzone.nl website)
PHILIPSBURG—Once again a young kid born of St. Maarten parents is making news internationally. A winning goal and a Man of the Match accolade. It’s the stuff of dreams for any young soccer player, especially in a debut match in front of 6,200 fans.
It became reality for attacker Toshio Lake on Saturday when his winning goal nine minutes before time sealed a 2-1 win for Fortuna Sittard in its Eredivisie season opening home match against FC Twente after the club rallied from being 0-1 down at half time.
Earlier in the match Lake (20) delivered a fantastic assist to Mats Seuntjens, all of which added to his well-deserved Man of the Match award. His achievement was all the more remarkable when you consider he was a substitute who might never have made it onto the pitch. But coaches and trainers knew he had talent.
According to the following match report there were three new players at the kick-off at Fortuna Sittard; Arianit Ferati, Richie Musaba and Samy Baghdadi who made their debut in the Eredivisie. The home team was the dominant side in the first half, had the most ball possession and chances at goal. However, there were not many great opportunities to note for a long time.
Nine minutes before the break, the guests took the lead almost out of the blue, centre striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel scoring from close range to make it 0-1. Just before half time Fortuna Sittard should have equalised. A beautiful long ball from Tesfaldet Tekie was extended with his head by Musaba, from close range Baghdadi seemed to be adding a hit to his debut. Twente goalkeeper Lars Unnerstal prevented the equalizer with a catlike reaction.
A few minutes before half time another setback for the formation of trainer Sjors Ultee. Left back George Cox had to leave injured, Deroy Duarte, who was recruited this week, came on the field. Ferati took Cox's position.
After the break, very little happened at first. Twente combined more easily, but the guests lacked the real intention to score a second goal. The defense of Fortuna Sittard, led by Roel Janssen and Martin Angha, did not allow any chances. Lazaros Rota kept the agile Queensey Menig in check very well.
Trainer Sjors Ultee gave the concept of “golden change” a new impulse. After exactly 60 minutes of play, he brought in Lake, a player who had come over from Feyenoord in the summer.
After less than one minute, Fortuna Sittard's supporters were already acquainted with the qualities of the fast forward player. Lake got rid of the too eager Giovanni Troupée and served Mats Seuntjens with a fantastic ball. With two defenders in his vicinity, the captain of Fortuna Sittard showed his footballing class leaving keeper Unnerstal no chance: score1-1.
A competition developed in which fighting spirit was demanded. Fortuna Sittard showed great morale and fought for every meter. Nine minutes before the end of the official playing time, this attitude was rewarded. Duarte interrupted an attack by Twente, via Tekie the ball ended up at Lake again. Diagonally in front of the goal, Lake deposited the ball into the long corner to make the score 2-1. It was more than twenty years ago that a debuting player scored for Fortuna. On January 31, 2000 Nenad Bjekovic crowned himself the match winner against Roda JC.
Referee Jochem Kamphuis awarded no less than nine minutes of injury time, Twente did everything they could to still go home with at least one point, but in vain.
Lake’s proud parents were ecstatic on hearing the news of their son’s Man of the Match award. Toshio was born in Rotterdam and his whole life has revolved around football in the Netherlands. His mother Tamiko resides in the Netherlands and his father lives in St. Maarten.
“It’s been a very hard road for him” Tamiko tells The Daily Herald. “It’s always been Toshio’s dream and it’s now just started. He’s got his chance after so many years of playing football.”
“He started playing in grade school and from grade school he joined the Feyenoord young professionals training academy. They noticed his talent,” his father George Corby explains.
Toshio had to overcome numerous injuries, operations and setbacks and the COVID-19 pandemic only made things worse. There were many ups and downs and struggles. He had opportunities offered to him, even to play in England, but because of COVID those chances could not be taken up.
“Other teams were interested in him but Feyenoord did not give him many opportunities, holding him back for 10 years,” Tamiko explained. “His contract with Fortuna Sittard began in June of this year. A lot of players he knew when he was growing up had signed for other clubs. They (Feyenoord) kept him back because of his obvious talent.”
George said most of the praise and credit for Toshio’s development must go to his mother.
“She carried him to matches, brought him back, took care of him when he was hurt. She was the rock, always there for him. Toshio always said: “Mum, I’m going to make you proud.” She devoted most of her life to him.”
Lake was part of the talented Dutch squad that won the Under 17 European Championships in 2018. His parents are convinced he is on a trajectory for professional football as a career.
“It’s always been his dream. This isn’t a stepping stone but a continuation, moving forward. He dreamed of this moment and it came when he wasn’t expecting it. He was on the bench until the trainer realised if they didn’t send him in, they were going to lose the match. Toshio went on and did what he had to do. It was a very good move of the trainer to make that decision.”
So, what are Toshio’s skills as a player? “Everything you can imagine from a footballer. He’s equally comfortable dribbling the ball or striking with left leg or right leg which is usual. He’s very fast and a hard scorer and his masculinity plays a big role. He’s the complete package,” says Tamiko.
As for the future, next week sees discussions about what Fortuna Sittard expects from their young star. A lot of decisions are about to be made in his best interest.
