Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Hartog glad to be near the sea again
Veteran Cape defender still has a few goals to achieve in PSL
Football writer RODNEY REINERS chats to the well-travelled defender Ashley Hartog So now, 10 years later, it must feel great to have signed for Ajax? Definitely. It’s great to be here and I’m settling in nicely. But I’m just happy to be back in Cape Town, back home. When I played for SuperSport in Pretoria and Maritzburg United in KwaZuluNatal, I was alone ... my wife and child stayed home in the Cape. But now I’m back home and it’s just great to be back living with my family. You had a stint playing in Belgium. What’s the difference between football in South Africa and overseas? The biggest difference is the attitude of the players. In Europe, the level of professionalism and how they go about doing things are just so much higher. They are just so focused. Also, the game there is so much faster than South Africa, it’s more physical and the technical ability of the players is certainly superior. What about the time you spent at SuperSport United? Did you enjoy it? Yes … I had a great time there and did really well. During my first season, I won the club’s Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards … that was quite an honour. So having played under Gavin Hunt at SuperSport, tell us what makes him such a successful coach? Gavin’s the type of coach that players play for … he adapts to the character of the player and treats you the way you want to be treated. He’s a great man manager. For example, if you are a stubborn guy, then he will treat you differently than if you were a fun-loving sort of guy. It’s because of this that he is able to get that little bit extra out of the players he coaches. Who would you say has been your toughest opponent in the PSL? To be honest, I can’t really think of anybody. But what I can tell you is that during my spell at SuperSport, I set myself the goal of scoring against all the PSL’s big clubs. I’ve scored against them all, except Kaizer Chiefs, and I’ve also never been able to beat Itumeleng Khune. I’ve hit the bar a few times against Chiefs, but haven’t been able to score. But I guess now that I’ve got an opportunity at Ajax, who
I remember when I was at SuperSport and I missed a header from right in front of the goal, and Gavin (Hunt) screamed from the touchline: “Stevie Wonder would have scored that!”
knows, I may still be able to achieve my goal. Do you have any favourite players in the PSL? The two I like are George Lebese of Kaizer Chiefs and Issa Sarr of Orlando Pirates. Lebese’s a top player and I rate him highly. What I enjoy about Sarr is that he does the simple things and just gets on with doing his job well. Who will win the PSL title this season? I guess everybody will say Sundowns … but watch out for Wits. Gavin (Hunt) is there and he will be happy with where he is on the log. He likes to creep up on clubs late in the season. He’s not under any pressure, because Sun- downs are, while Gavin will tell Wits to just take things one game at a time. What about the future for Ashley Hartog? Look, I’m 33 years old … I’m probably looking at playing another full season or two. But I can assure you I have no ambitions of going into football when my career ends. I don’t want to be a NFD or PSL coach, that’s for sure. Perhaps if a club needs help with juniors, I’d be happy to do that. But the most important thing for me would be to look for opportunities that will ensure that I can provide for my family. Who do you support in the English Premier League and why? Manchester United. I guess when growing up I watched players like Eric Cantona and Roy Keane, and that’s why I’ve always supported them. What do you think of United’s playing style under Louis van Gaal? Look, I don’t think Van Gaal was the right choice. I think every game United play now is just to get results. There’s none of the entertainment that United used to provide in the past. I’m certainly not a fan of Van Gaal’s style. What is the best goal you have ever seen? Mor Diouf ’s long-range stunner for SuperSport. I played in that game. Everybody thinks it was a fluke, but I can assure you that he looked up, saw the keeper off the line, and hit a 70-yard wonder goal. (To see the goal, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=nn_UaOkBhZk) If you could change one thing in football, what would it be? Nothing. You know what, football is a simple game, nothing changes … it’s the players who complicate things. Who gets your vote as the best player in the world right now? Simple, no argument – Lionel Messi. What is the funniest thing a coach has ever said to you? I remember when I was at SuperSport and I missed a header from right in front of the goal, and Gavin screamed from the touchline: “Stevie Wonder would have scored that!” Beyonce or Rihanna, and why? Beyonce, I’ve always been a fan. She’s got a great body, with all the parts in the right places. Who is your favourite movie actor? Liam Neeson. What do you miss most about Cape Town when you are away? The ocean. When I was playing at Maritzburg, I always missed it. I wasn’t always keen to take a drive to Durban to be at the ocean. Here in the Cape, it’s just around the corner. What do you think of Robbie Fleck as the new Stormers coach? Don’t know, I’m not interested in rugby.