World Cup qual. - Van der Sar turned down comeback

Eurosport - Wed, 18 Mar 14:32:00 2009

Holland boss Bert van Marwijk has revealed he tried to lure Edwin van der Sar out of international retirement for a second time.

FOOTBALL 2008 Euro 2008 Holland Edwin van der Sar - 0

Van Marwijk is facing a goalkeeping dilemma ahead of his side's World Cup qualifier with Scotland.

Maarten Stekelenburg has been dropped by Ajax, while understudy Henk Timmer has been told he can leave Feyenoord after a dismal season.

Van der Sar, who has been one of the stars of Manchester United's season, retired from international football after Euro 2008.

The 38-year-old accepted an emergency call-up for last year's World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Norway but turned down this latest offer.

"Against my better judgment, I called Edwin because of our present difficulties," Van Marwijk told The Herald.

"We had agreed the book was closed before we had these injuries and while I knew what the answer would be, I still called him.

"All our other keepers have a story to tell, sickness, injury or poor form but I will stick by Stekelenburg.

"He has the most potential of all of them and is the best available.

"He is not playing for Ajax, and that is a disadvantage, but this gives him a chance to prove that he can come back stronger."

TeamTalk / Eurosport

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  1. give the position to young up and coming goalkeepers.­ Holland already have a squad capable of winning any­ match, no matter who the goalkeeper is.

    From aleksicn93, on Wed 18 Mar 2:41PM
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