Episode 59: ”BVB were an inspiration this season, they will be back stronger” An interview with Matthew Amoah (Striker BVB 2005-7)

Thank you for your interest in the BvB London fan community podcast as every week the focus of the show will be on exploring a facet of football life with a focus on Borussia Dortmund by talking to experts, fans, and players and coaches. 

People, including journalists, who make up the football world including decision-makers and who know the football world and the world of BVB well.

The aim of the podcast is to make Bundesliga, BVB and international football more accessible.

On today's show, our guest is a 45-time Ghana international and current U18 coach of NAC Breda.

The 1.77m former striker, played 17 matches for BVB between 2005-7.

The former Ghana senior international striker who gained 45 caps scoring 13 goals.

The now fourty-two-year-old's former clubs include Vitesse Arnheim between 1998-2005, playing 174 games in which he scored 72 goals.

He also played for Fortuna Sittard on loan for one season in 99/00. After leaving Borussia Dortmund he joined NAC Breda (Eredivisie) where he played 137 games scoring 43 goals. 

In 2011/12 Amoah was transferred to the Turkish league where he played for newly-promoted SK Marsin Talimyurdu. 

After a season in Turkey's Superlig, he returned to Holland to play for SC Heerenveen, before moving to Heracles Almedo where he completed his career in 2014. 

Amoah scored 137 goals in 384 games in his professional career.

On today's show, we discuss life in the Eredivisie, the Bundesliga, the Turkish league, and the Ghana national team, a professional career that spanned 16 years.

1. First steps in football growing up in the Netherlands from the age of fifteen after coming from Ghana.

2. Academy life and playing with Vitesse Arnhem alongside players like former BVB Scottish striker Scott Booth, former Nottingham Forest player Pierre van Hooidonk and being coach by Ronald Koeman. 

2. Bert van Marwijk and BVB come calling: A chance to join the champions league winner in the team with Sebastian Kehl, Dede, Tomas Rosicky, Nuri Sahin and Ebi Smolarek.  

3. Two seasons in the German game, two top ten finishes but no European competition. Jurgen Rober and Thomas Doll follow on from Bert van Marwijik and competing with Lars Ricken and Jan Koller up front.

4. Highlights of two seasons at the Westfalenstadion including a hattrick in his pre-season debut, first appearance in front of the 'Yellow Wall' against Hannover 96, and a 6 goal thriller at Bayern Munich. 

5. What is special about BVB? What could have worked better? What was different about the German game v playing in the Netherlands?

6. A spectacular return to NAC Breda and goals galore, a heroes welcome in Turkey and life as the big star signing. Before final seasons with Heerenveen and Heracles. 

 7. On the road with the Ghana national team, the magic of the 'Black Stars', the World Cup 2006 in Germany, a first for Ghana, reaching the quarterfinals and in South Africa 2010, getting to the the final of the African Cup of Nations in 2010 and meeting Nelson Mandela. 

8. Post playing career coaching and media work and what advice he can give young players. 

09. So near and yet so far: Why BVB will be back stronger; the current BVB season 22/23 and views on the squad and potential.

Social media. 

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