HEERENVEEN - Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek admitted Afonso Alves' record-breaking seven-goal haul against Heracles Almelo at the team. I am happy with the goals that I scored. This is important for the team."the weekend was "extraordinary".
The Brazilian striker set a new Eredivisie mark for the most number of goals scored by one player when he found the target seven times in the 9-0 rout on Sunday before being substituted in the later stages to a rousing reception.
Alves himself attributed his success to the rest of the squad, saying: "I thank the team. I am happy with the goals that I scored. This is important for the team."
And Verbeek was also full of admiration for his players and Alves in particular.
"This is an extraordinary achievement by Afonso," Verbeek said.
"Except for the second goal which came from a free-kick, all the other goals were a team achievement. He is at the end of a chain.
"But Afonso did a great job and that's why I took him off the field about 10 minutes before the final whistle, even though I had already made three substitutions. That was a gesture towards him for his achievement."
Verbeek also revealed Alves has yet to reach his full potential this season, adding: "That makes it even more remarkable he could set such a record."
