http://www.uefa.com/magazine/News/Kind=16/newsId=73984.html Friday, 13 June 2003 By Marcus Christenson If AFC Ajax were the great overachievers of this season's UEFA Champions League, then their 21-year-old midfield player Steven Pienaar was the surprise package. One of the jewels of a side already gleaming with young talent, the South African has been compared by many to Clarence Seedorf, his Ajax predecessor, for his poise, skill and imagination with the ball at his feet. Bright future Now a member of the South African national side, a terrific 2002/03 season has earned Pienaar a new three-year contract at the Amsterdam ArenA. He spoke to uefa.com about his Champions League experience and the challenges which lie ahead. uefa.com: Ajax had a great season in Europe. Was that unexpected? Steven Pienaar: Our expectations weren't too high at the start of the season as we have a young team but we have learned a lot this season and I think that we did well because of all the hard work we put in. uefa.com: You have also played extremely well. What has been the secret behind your performances? Pienaar: I have just been working hard. You have to believe in yourself and then it all comes with the help of God. uefa.com: How did it feel to play against top European teams? Did they live up to your expectations? Pienaar: Honestly, I just told myself that it is just another team I am playing against, a normal team. I didn't think about the fact that we were playing against some big teams. I just told myself that I have to go out and enjoy myself and it was really nice to play against teams like that. uefa.com: Looking back at the painful 3-2 aggregate defeat by AC Milan in the quarter-finals, do you think Ajax should have done more to defend the 1-1 draw you earned at the Amsterdam ArenA? Pienaar: I don't think so. The plan was to defend the draw and the coach [Ronald Koeman] took two attacking players off and put on two defensive ones. Unfortunately, I think we were getting too tired at the end and we couldn't defend it. uefa.com: So what do you think Ajax can improve next season in Europe? Pienaar: I think that we have gained experience from playing in the Champions League this season and if we can keep the team together we can go further than the quarter-finals. uefa.com: What are your personal aims as a footballer. What do you want to achieve? Pienaar: I have to start next season again from the beginning and just try to win a place [in the team] again because it is a new season and everyone will get a new chance so that is my goal for the next season. uefa.com: So which part of your game do you think that you can still improve? Pienaar: My scoring and my selfishness. I need to be a bit more selfish. uefa.com: What have you learned from Ronald Koeman so far? Pienaar: He has given me a lot of confidence but also he has taught me a lot about how I should position myself and always to play direct football and not for the supporters. uefa.com: Why did you choose Ajax? Pienaar: Because I played for Ajax Cape Town and then Ajax showed an interest and I couldn't say no. uefa.com: Have you settled well in Amsterdam. Do you like it? Pienaar: Yes, it is a wonderful city and a nice club with nice people. uefa.com: Is there anything you miss in South Africa? Pienaar: Only my parents. -- 有心 没心 心在芬兰 多情 薄情 情系 Ajax --

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