After the defeat against Russia confirmed Edwin Van der Sar’s resignation from international football, Edwin stated that he will miss the Holland duty and the experience of international competitions. Van der Sar will now focus solely on Manchester United, where he is set to keep the number one jersey for the 2008/09 season. He earned a total of 128 caps for the Oranjes and it is very improbable that he will add more to them in the future, even though the next Holland manager wants to convince him to carry on in the Holland jersey.

He admits that it is a disappointment that in his time at the Holland post, his home nation did not manage to triumph in a major competition. He also feels that Russia deserved their win, as Holland were not playing anywhere as good as in their games against Italy and France. Van der Sar said that the Russians have a very good chance of triumphing this summer, after their performances have been nothing short of exceptional.

“It’s the end of my international career - the tournaments I will miss most, they are the nicest to experience.”

“I have enjoyed it, that’s for sure. I have reached quarter-finals and semi-finals, but that’s not enough.”

“You always want more than that. But every two years there is only one team that wins the tournament, and in my playing days that has not been for me to experience. We lacked the necessary horsepower to make the extra step forward.”

“I had the feeling that we could have saved the day if it had gone to a penalty shoot-out, but that was all gone after they scored their second goal.”

“I think we had a great tournament and unfortunately we couldn’t get the level of play that we did in the first two games.”

“We created too few chances ourselves and gave too much away. Russia played very well, we did not - and that hurts. You have one bad game in the knockout stages and you are out. That’s the way it is.”

“Russia did very well against us. They are a very good side and they have a great chance now.”

“They’re in the semi-finals, one of four potential champions, so they have a great chance.” - Edwin Van der Sar

Dutch wing star Wesley Sneijder, who impressed football viewers with his sensational performances in Euro 2008, has denied reports that he would be part of the deal to take Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Sneijder was reported as the ideal addition to the Ronaldo bid to tempt Man Utd to sell their prized asset, given that he plays in the same position as the Portuguese.

At Real Madrid, he is not considered a key player, and the management wouldn’t bother including him in the deal to bring long-term target (and money-spinning) Cristiano Ronaldo to Madrid. However, Sneijder has made it plain and clear that he doesn’t want a transfer to the Red Devils, and that he wants to win trophies with the Spanish giants.

“When I left Ajax, my lifelong team, I only wanted to go to Madrid. It’s the best club in the world.”

“Now that I’m here the only thing I want to do is win, win lots of titles and spend as long as possible defending this shirt and badge.” - Wesley Sneijder

Russia headcoach Guus Hiddink, who has had sensational spells with other national and club sides before he took the Russia post, was full of praise for the Man Utd keeper. Hiddink had managed Edwin van der Sar when the former was manager of his home nation Holland between 1994 and 1998. In fact, it was under the intelligent and highly successful manager’s reign that van der Sar made his debut in 1995. Hiddink acknowledged that time might be catching up on the keeper, but he is still the best keeper to grace the Dutch team.

Prior to the kickoff of Euro 2008, Edwin stated publicly that the summer competition would be the last time that he wears the Oranjes’ shirt. As a professional individual, he is set to keep his promise and resign from international duty. He would then focus on his last season at Manchester United, where he will step down from football in summer 2009. For his club, he will be remembered as one of the greatest keepers in the history of the Red Devils. For his nation, the written history won’t be less praiseful.

The newly appointed manager of the Dutch squad Bert van Marwijk, who is set to take over after van Basten took over Ajax, stated that he would put changing Van der Sar’s mind on top of his agenda when he takes over Holland. Bert hopes to convince Edwin to stay on for another year, helping his side in part of their World Cup qualifying campaign. However, it is unlikely that he will be successful in convincing him.

“Edwin van der Sar has had a tremendous career”

“I know him rather well, he’s the best I think in Holland. He’s also a very responsible and very intelligent man.”

“I have enjoyed his performances very much, and I will - minus one.” - Guus Hiddink (Russia Head Coach)
More information about Edwin

&border=0&rel=0&egm=0&color1=0x666666&color2=0xefefef' /> ]]> http://holland.blogsfc.com/video-holland-vs-russia.html/feed http://holland.blogsfc.com/van-basten-loses-hiddink-duel.html http://holland.blogsfc.com/van-basten-loses-hiddink-duel.html#comments Sun, 22 Jun 2008 08:51:53 +0000 reddevilrooney http://holland.blogsfc.com/van-basten-loses-hiddink-duel.html