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University of Massachusets Athletics
Catching Up With Clement Benhaddouche
January 28, 2020 | Men's Soccer
The former Minuteman is in his second season with Kitchee SC of the Hong Kong Premier League.
AMHERST, Mass. – The University of Massachusetts men's soccer 2019 graduate Clement Benhaddouche is in the midst of his second season with Kitchee SC of the Hong Kong Premier League after his four-year career with the Minutemen. We caught up with Benhaddouche to talk about his professional experience so far, including a match against Manchester City of the English Premier League.
Q: What has your professional playing experience been like so far?
A: I've enjoyed it for the most part and can see myself getting better progressively. As long as I can keep doing that, I'll be happy. The adjustment from UMass has been a bit strange, especially without having to go to classes after practice and just having the rest of the day off instead. It's also different being in a team where the age difference is more than 3-4 years, since it can be hard to connect with some older teammates that have families for instance.
Q: What did you learn during your time playing at UMass that has helped you in your professional career?
A: At UMass, we always talked about attention to detail and doing the little things right on and off the field. If it was on the field, it would be small things like being focused on a set piece or having good body language at practice and in games. Off the field would be something like making sure you'd get your ice bath in after practice. Coach always talked about us having to be the best at everything we could control individually and as a team and that's what stuck with me the most.
Q: What has been your favorite moment playing professionally?
A: I think my debut in January last year has been my favorite moment so far. It was at the stadium I'd always go watch games at when I was growing up so that made it pretty special. I was surprisingly less nervous than I thought I would be; I think it's because in my head I still felt like I was going back to UMass and none of it felt real. But I actually ended up doing well and even managed to get an assist that game!
Q: What was it like playing against Manchester City and the likes of Raheem Sterling along with some of the best players in the world?
A: It was just surreal. It's unfair how good they are at the sport. I remember stopping mid warm-up as their whole first team ran out of the tunnel onto the pitch and I just stared because I couldn't believe it. But in the game, they just make everything look so easy and effortless, it's ridiculous. What surprised me the most was how much respect they gave my team and I after the game. I got to swap shirts and have a few words with Sterling and even though it was just a few seconds, it's definitely a moment I'll remember forever.
Q: How's your current season going and what does it look like going forward?
A: We started a little slow as a team at the beginning but we've started to pick up form in the last two months or so. We're still undefeated in the league and we want to try and win that this year and hopefully some other cups on the way as well. Personally, I got some games in at the beginning then got injured but I'm back and healthy now so hopefully I can get some more games in again soon.
Q: Any advice for college players that are looking to play professionally?
A: Just to try to be the best at everything you can control. Attitude, work ethic, and attention to detail goes a long in any professional environment. I also think always believing in yourself and your ability will help you become the best player you can possibly be.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Q: What has your professional playing experience been like so far?
A: I've enjoyed it for the most part and can see myself getting better progressively. As long as I can keep doing that, I'll be happy. The adjustment from UMass has been a bit strange, especially without having to go to classes after practice and just having the rest of the day off instead. It's also different being in a team where the age difference is more than 3-4 years, since it can be hard to connect with some older teammates that have families for instance.
Q: What did you learn during your time playing at UMass that has helped you in your professional career?
A: At UMass, we always talked about attention to detail and doing the little things right on and off the field. If it was on the field, it would be small things like being focused on a set piece or having good body language at practice and in games. Off the field would be something like making sure you'd get your ice bath in after practice. Coach always talked about us having to be the best at everything we could control individually and as a team and that's what stuck with me the most.
Q: What has been your favorite moment playing professionally?
A: I think my debut in January last year has been my favorite moment so far. It was at the stadium I'd always go watch games at when I was growing up so that made it pretty special. I was surprisingly less nervous than I thought I would be; I think it's because in my head I still felt like I was going back to UMass and none of it felt real. But I actually ended up doing well and even managed to get an assist that game!
Q: What was it like playing against Manchester City and the likes of Raheem Sterling along with some of the best players in the world?
A: It was just surreal. It's unfair how good they are at the sport. I remember stopping mid warm-up as their whole first team ran out of the tunnel onto the pitch and I just stared because I couldn't believe it. But in the game, they just make everything look so easy and effortless, it's ridiculous. What surprised me the most was how much respect they gave my team and I after the game. I got to swap shirts and have a few words with Sterling and even though it was just a few seconds, it's definitely a moment I'll remember forever.
Q: How's your current season going and what does it look like going forward?
A: We started a little slow as a team at the beginning but we've started to pick up form in the last two months or so. We're still undefeated in the league and we want to try and win that this year and hopefully some other cups on the way as well. Personally, I got some games in at the beginning then got injured but I'm back and healthy now so hopefully I can get some more games in again soon.
Q: Any advice for college players that are looking to play professionally?
A: Just to try to be the best at everything you can control. Attitude, work ethic, and attention to detail goes a long in any professional environment. I also think always believing in yourself and your ability will help you become the best player you can possibly be.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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