Kees Smit Faces Setback in Match Against SC Heerenveen

Last weekend, AZ suffered a 3-1 defeat against SC Heerenveen, and Kees Smit was unable to alter the outcome. The nineteen-year-old midfielder, who had recently received accolades from national coach Ronald Koeman, was virtually invisible during the match in Friesland, as noted by Pieter Zwart in Voetbal International’s VI ZSM.

In recent weeks, Smit had been overwhelmed with compliments from various quarters, with Koeman even drawing comparisons between him and the talented Pedri. The teenager had showcased his skills effectively in both the Eredivisie and the Conference League. However, during the encounter against SC Heerenveen last Sunday, Smit’s performance faltered significantly. Additionally, he exhibited unsportsmanlike behavior towards Luuk Brouwers by grabbing him by the neck, yet he managed to escape without receiving a card.

The incident reflects the challenges young players often face in maintaining consistent performance under pressure.