Captain hopes for a perfect farewell
Source: Agencies |
July 8, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst has only one better way to say goodbye for good. That is to score in his last competitive game as well, and give the Netherlands the World Cup.
"I hope it will be the most beautiful game of my life," said Van Bronckhorst, who is retiring from football after the tournament but made sure he will go out in style by scoring the first goal in a 3-2 win over Uruguay on Tuesday.
His name has already been scrapped from the teamsheet of his last club, Feyenoord Rotterdam but the Dutch team will keep him on until Sunday, and for good reason.
The captain gave the Dutch the lead with a blistering 35-meter left-foot drive that sailed past Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera to break open the game. He then claimed the biggest defensive play of the semifinal too, when he rushed back to head a dangerous high ball out of the goalmouth in the 49th minute with the score at 1-1.
At 35, Van Bronckhorst was more than two years older than anyone else on the pitch, yet celebrated like a teenager almost an hour after the match.
"There were no tears, just joy," he said. "The last game in my career and it's a World Cup final, what can you say? It could not be more beautiful."
Van Bronckhorst was given the captain's armband only two years ago, when goalie Edwin van der Sar retired. He was seen as a transitional figure at best, not a standout leader thriving on bluster and brawn. "For everyone, it will be the game of their life," Van Bronckhorst said. For himself, the last game of his life.
"I hope it will be the most beautiful game of my life," said Van Bronckhorst, who is retiring from football after the tournament but made sure he will go out in style by scoring the first goal in a 3-2 win over Uruguay on Tuesday.
His name has already been scrapped from the teamsheet of his last club, Feyenoord Rotterdam but the Dutch team will keep him on until Sunday, and for good reason.
The captain gave the Dutch the lead with a blistering 35-meter left-foot drive that sailed past Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera to break open the game. He then claimed the biggest defensive play of the semifinal too, when he rushed back to head a dangerous high ball out of the goalmouth in the 49th minute with the score at 1-1.
At 35, Van Bronckhorst was more than two years older than anyone else on the pitch, yet celebrated like a teenager almost an hour after the match.
"There were no tears, just joy," he said. "The last game in my career and it's a World Cup final, what can you say? It could not be more beautiful."
Van Bronckhorst was given the captain's armband only two years ago, when goalie Edwin van der Sar retired. He was seen as a transitional figure at best, not a standout leader thriving on bluster and brawn. "For everyone, it will be the game of their life," Van Bronckhorst said. For himself, the last game of his life.
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