FC Utrecht striker Noah Ohio showcased his remarkable talent this season during the intense match against NAC Breda, where he was pivotal with two late goals securing victory for the team. This match, held late August, turned what seemed to be an impending defeat for Utrecht, thanks to his exceptional performance, which he described as "De mooiste vijf minuten uit mijn loopbaan" (The most beautiful five minutes of my career). Ohio's scoring spree proved significant, bolstering the team’s morale and securing much-needed points.
After recovering from injury sustained during the cup match against AFC, Ohio expressed his eagerness to rejoin his teammates. "Ik moet nog wel minuten maken om wedstrijdfit te worden" (I still need to get minutes to be match-fit), he mentioned, demonstrating awareness of his role and the necessity of continuous performance improvement. Ohio’s return was highly anticipated as he almost assisted the winning goal against PSV just before the NAC fixture. Although he didn’t receive the assist, his involvement was promising, showcasing his skill set returning to form.
Ohio has had past experiences playing two forwards with his previous clubs and is familiar with formations like 4-4-2. "Ik heb 4.4.2 gespeeld bij Standard Luik, en bij RB Leipzig in de jeugd heb ik ook met twee spitsen gespeeld" (I played 4-4-2 at Standard Liege, and at RB Leipzig I also played with two strikers), he stated, indicating his adaptability to FC Utrecht's tactical adjustments. Coach Ron Jans highlighted the importance of utilizing players effectively, especially when injuries have limited the squad’s options this season, including notable absences due to injuries, making Ohio's role even more important.
The upcoming matches are expected to focus on offensive performance, as Jans emphasizes the need to break their home game winless streak. "Als je gewoon kijkt naar wat er allemaal gebeurd is. Is die conclusie terecht" (If you just look at what has happened, the conclusion is justified), he remarked concerning his team’s challenges, especially at home where they haven’t clinched victory for months.
Sébastien Haller, who is likely to play alongside Ohio, was identified as the anchor striker. Ohio explained the dynamics, saying, "Ik ben beweeglijker en ik heb meer snelheid. Seb heeft veel kwaliteiten, maar snelheid is er daar niet één van" (I am more mobile, and I have more speed. Seb has many qualities, but speed is not one of them), underscoring how they might complement each other on the field.
The interest from PSV during Ohio's recovery period opened possibilities but was no distraction. "Maar hier boos en teleurgesteld rondlopen doet ook niks voor mij" (But walking around here angry and disappointed does nothing for me), he remarked about the potential move. Such interest demonstrates his growing profile as one to watch for the future. With international duty on the horizon for Jong Oranje, where he is the only representation from FC Utrecht, Ohio's stakes are undoubtedly rising. The team is preparing for friendly matches against Italy and Romania, adding additional pressure to perform well and secure his place on the roster for the U21 European Championship later this year.
Coach Jans recently pointed out the significance of strengthening their home performances, especially as his team gears up for the end of the season, where victories are imperative. "We moeten iets doorbreken, want de eindfase begint en daar worden de prijzen verdeeld" (We must break something because the final stage begins and prizes are distributed), he stated, aiming to instill confidence and urgency within the squad against upcoming rivals like NAC, who have shown competitive spirit, highlighted by their recent performances against other top-tier teams.
Though the path might seem challenging—with injuries persisting within the squad—there is optimism among team members and the coaching staff. Ohio was the lightning rod of the match against NAC, and with his recent form and growing fitness, he stands poised to become not just pivotal for FC Utrecht this season but potentially for the Dutch national scene as well.
FC Utrecht takes on NAC once again at Galgenwaard, kicking off Saturday at 16:30 local time. The match can be followed via live streams on the RTV Utrecht app and website. Coaches, analysts, and fans alike will be watching intently to see how Ohio performs after his much-anticipated return and whether FC Utrecht can finally turn this season around.