News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 15 years ago
Rediff.com  » Sports » Van der Sar makes Dutch comeback

Van der Sar makes Dutch comeback

October 03, 2008 17:43 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is making a brief Dutch comeback for this month's World Cup qualifiers to help out in an injury crisis.

Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk included Van der Sar, who retired from international football after Euro 2008, in his 22-man squad on Friday for the Group Nine games against Iceland in Rotterdam on October 11 and away to Norway four days later.

Goalkeepers Maarten Stekelenburg of Ajax and Feyenoord's Henk Timmer, who is in the squad, are both nursing injuries.

Van der Sar, capped 128 times, was approached by Van Marwijk and his assistant Frank de Boer for help and decided to make a temporary comeback.

"This week Timmer sustained an injury and later on first choice Stekelenburg's injury proved serious and will keep him sidelined for four to six weeks," Van Marwijk told reporters.

"Together with Frank (de Boer), I called Edwin on Wednesday. He was shocked for a moment but also flattered and answered positively the same day.

"His return to the squad is only for these two matches and with a goalkeeper of his class he will start both matches," added Van Marwijk, whose side beat Macedonia in their opening qualifier in Skopje last month.

Real Madrid's Wesley Sneijder also returns to the squad after being sidelined for two months due to a knee injury he sustained during a pre-season friendly against Arsenal.

Van Marwijk called up Sneijder even though the midfielder has yet to appear for Real this season.

"I spoke about it with Pedrag Mijatovic and Bernd Schuster and they accepted my request," Van Marwijk said, referring to Real's technical director and coach.

"I told them he would join in the training the first week but will not play the first match, while after that week I will decide if he will play against Norway."

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024