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"I think this can be a great World
Cup"
Tuesday 18 May 2010
 Gregory
van der Wiel is looking forward to the World Cup. The
Ajax-defender is looking back on a terrific season with
Ajax and has real chance for a spot in the starting
lineup in South Africa.
"I developed really well,"
Van der Wiel says. "Both on and off the pitch.
I grew as a player. It takes less and less effort. The
defensive part is getting easier which leaves me room
for thinking offensively. And that is what I like best:
offense. It's funny how it's the same with Vernon Anita."
"This season I learned how
the world of football works. I had never been aware
that as a football player you are a role model as well.
I had always been this bloke from Amsterdam and all
of a sudden people approach me in a different way, because
I can play a bit of football. That took some getting
used to."
Van der Wiel is referring to the
Twitter-affair. In October he drew a lot of attention
when he wasn't available for a friendly in Australia
with the Dutch national team. Yet in the evening a picture
on his Twitter page showed he was fit enough to attend
a rap concert. "That wasn't very smart, but I learned
from it. So one could say the incident was positive.
An educational moment."
The 22-year-old is looking forward
to the World Cup full of confidence. "We've got
a fun team. There's a lot of joking around. I think
this can be a great World Cup. We have a great team
with some magnificent players. There's a good atmosphere
and there's a great team spirit. We should be able to
do well in South Africa."
Under bondscoach Bert van Marwijk
Van der Wiel seems to be looking at a place in the starting
lineup. But the defender doesn't want to think about
that yet. "It's looking good, but I must keep on
working hard. I always focus on the negative side. Even
when I had three assists in a game, one tiny mistake
can still ruin my day."
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