Awkward moment Raheem Sterling claps back at reporter after full Feyenoord debut
Raheem Sterling was handed his full debut in Feyenoord’s 3-3 draw with NAC Breda (Picture: ESPN)
Raheem Sterling was left unimpressed as a reporter appeared to laugh when asking him about a chance he had missed following Feyenoord’s 3-3 draw with NAC Breda.
The 31-year-old forward made his full Feyenoord debut in Sunday’s six-goal Eredivisie thriller having come on as a substitute in the club’s previous two matches against Telstar and FC Twente.
Visa issues meant Sterling’s first training sessions with his new team-mates – after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent – had to be delayed in what has been a frustrating start to life in the Netherlands.
But there were glimpses of promise in Sterling’s performance at the Rat Verlegh Stadium, with the attacker linking well with Jordon Bos down the left flank.
In an entertaining first half, Kamal Sowah cancelled out Ayase Ueda’s opening goal before Luciano Valente restored Feyenoord’s advantage on the half-hour mark.
A pair of quickfire goals from Boyd Lucassen and Andre Ayew put NAC Breda in front at the break, only for Ueda to strike again to make it all square again in the 52nd minute.
Robin van Persie decided to take Sterling off for the fresh legs of Aymen Sliti in the 63rd minute but NAC Breda stood strong as second-placed Feyenoord searched in vain for a winner against the Eredivisie strugglers.
Your football fix
Metro's Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week's biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.
Sign up here, it's an open goal.
Sterling played 63 minutes of Sunday’s six-goal thriller (Picture: Getty)
The England forward had only made two substitute appearances previously (Picture: Getty)
‘It was my first start and, of course, I wanted to come away with the three points,’ Sterling told ESPN shortly after the final whistle.
‘It was a little bit disappointing with some of the goals we conceded.
‘I thought we showed great spirit as a team and fought back.’
Van Persie cut a frustrated figure as his side dropped points away to second-bottomNAC Breda (Picture: Getty)
In his post-match interview, Sterling appeared a little puzzled as to why Van Persie had opted to bring him off with 30 minutes of the match remaining.
‘Yeah, I felt good enough to continue but, of course, it’s the coach’s decision,’ the England international explained.
On the suggestion he wanted to remain on the pitch, Sterling replied: ‘Like every footballer does.
‘Once you’re on the grass, you just want to be in the grass. But it’s understandable.
Sterling felt he could have continued through to the final whistle (Picture: Getty)
‘It’s another good step. Should have come away with a win there today.
‘Mixed emotions with the performance because I thought we could have won the game.
‘There was a bit of switching off at times but I thought there was some very good football at times and if we continue to that and continue to play… we’ve got some very intelligent players and we have to keep playing that way.’
Feyenoord return to action at home to Excelsior in a week’s time (Picture: Getty)
Sterling stressed that it was down to him and the rest of the squad to ‘keep building’ on the positive aspects of their play in the remaining games of the campaign.
‘I’m just trying to get myself to my level which I know I’m capable of and that’s all about fitness,’ he said.
‘But there was some good combination play and we’ll just keep building on it as a team. There’s more to come.’
On his bond with Bos on the left flank, Sterling added: ‘Good connection. He’s a powerful boy with some great qualities going forward with the ball. We just tried to link up really well.’
Though pleased with his overall display, Sterling appeared to take offence as ESPN’s reporter let out a chuckle when raising an opportunity he had squandered in the second half.
Arsenal named as 'most likely move' for £55m Newcastle star in summer transfer window
Joe Cole singles out 'monster' Chelsea star after FA Cup win vs Wrexham
Mikel Arteta explains why Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi miss Mansfield vs Arsenal
‘You shouldn’t be laughing, my guy!’ a visibly unimpressed Sterling fired back.
‘But yeah, it’s one that, I said, [I need to] get the cobwebs off.
‘I had the opportunity and that’s something, with my standards, I want to take and that would have been the game as well.
‘It’s a good stepping stone and next one I’ve got to get it in the back of the net.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Arrow
MORE: Raheem Sterling’s Feyenoord debut gets ‘disappointing’ reaction in Netherlands
Arrow
MORE: Former Liverpool star admits he ‘didn’t like’ Raheem Sterling
Arrow
MORE: Former Arsenal captain backed to become Manchester United manager
Comment now
Comments
Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source
