Interview with Said Boutahar
(TheAtlasLions.com/18 Nov 2004) Here's an exclusive interview with Moroccan startlet and NEC midfielder Saïd Boutahar.
1-Tell us about yourself
I am 22 years old and started playing football when I was 7. I started at a club called SDV, then Excelsior, Feyenoord, Excelsior, RKC Waalwijk and now N.E.C.
2-What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are playing Playstation, going to movies (mostly serious movies), playing pool billiard and shopping.
3-Do you often go to Morocco, if so where in Morocco?
I dont go there very often because it is difficult to combine with playing football. I think I visit Morocco once in every 3 years. I visit Rabat and other cities like Agadir and Marakkesh.
4-Do you have offers from other clubs?
No, not that I know of at the moment.
5-What are your ambitions with NEC and for the future?
I would like to end the season at the highest possible position for N.E.C. I hope this is 8th or 9th. My own ambition is to develop each year and to play at higher levels.
6-Who is your idol, and what is your favorite club and stadium ?
My idol is Zinedine Zidane, my favourite club is Real Madrid and my favourite stadium is Nou Camp of Barcelona FC.
7-Did the Moroccan FA contacted you lately?
They did not contact me directly but I heard from one of my representatives that they have informed about me.
8-You played for Holland u23 but with the new FIFA rule you still can play for Morocco, our question is whom would you like to play for Morocco or Holland?
I will make this decision if and when either Morocco or Holland will select me for the national team. Right now, I dont know.
9-Did you follow the Moroccan national team during the African Cup of Nations and what did you feel at that moment.?
Most of the matches were played when I was playing with RKC Waalwijk. I did see the finals and ofcourse I supported Morocco. I think they had a good team and it was a pity they lost.
10-You played last weeks as striker while your normal position is midfield, you even scored 5 times, which position you like to play as striker or as midfielder?
I prefer playing midfielder with the possibility to play forward because I believe I have the best quality for that position.
11-Do you have contact with other Moroccan players in Holland?
Yes, I frequently have contact with El Hamdaoui of Excelsior and sometimes also with Boukhari of Ajax.
12-Last word for the visitors of our site TheAtlasLions.com?
I wish all of you the best of luck and I hope I have given you a little more information about me. Greetings to all.
We would like to thank Saïd Boutahar for his time and Miss Marij Peters for conducting the interview.
