Cyriel Dessers says “the best is yet to come” after scoring twice to send Panathinaikos into the UEFA Conference League league phase with a dramatic 2-1 win over Hradec Kralove, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The Super Eagles striker came off the bench in the 60th minute and opened the scoring in the 72nd before converting a 125th-minute penalty to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory.
“I’m glad I gave Panathinaikos something after a difficult year. The best is yet to come. I’m growing, and the team is growing too,” Dessers said after the game.
The 31-year-old also expressed his delight at helping Panathinaikos qualify during a period of changes at the club.
“I am very happy that my first goals gave us qualification. It is a special phase of the year, changes are made, new players are coming, there is pressure. Now that we have qualified, the pressure can be reduced, and we can play good football as a team,” he said.
Dessers’ brace came after Panathinaikos surrendered a two-goal advantage to draw 2-2 in the first leg in Athens, with Vladimir Darida’s 92nd-minute equaliser in the return leg forcing extra time.
The performance offers Dessers a timely boost as he looks to rebuild his form after an injury-hit spell and strengthen his case for a return to the Super Eagles.
The 11-cap forward will now hope to build on the performance and maintain his form for Panathinaikos as the season progresses.
