Mark van Bommel & Robin van Persie are happy in orange

Sjoerd Mossou
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Friday 17 October 2008

When asked what would be on his mind while on the plane back to Bavaria Mark van Bommel frowned.

"Most of all I am happy," the midfielder said.

"But we'll have to wait and see how things develop at Bayern."

Mixed emotions for Mark van Bommel on the way back to his club.

It was a successful week with the national football team of the Netherlands, but at Bayern Munich Van Bommel has been on the bench in recent weeks and it's not at all certain whether anything will change soon.

So yes, he would have loved to stay with the national team a few weeks more.

"But I think there are more players who will feel like that. Because when you are winning and playing well playing for your country is the best thing."

In his bag the winning goal against Norway, proof that he can be of great value to any top side.

It's a welcome signal towards his club coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

"Of course it's good to score that goal, but mainly for the team," Van Bommel thinks.

"Whatever that means for me personally is of less importance. We have come closer to the World Cup. That's what counts."

Knowing that all internationals returned to their clubs up beat and relaxed.

There isn't a single country that can look forward to the rest of their qualification campaign as careless as Holland can at the moment, after three wins in a row and point loss of all competitors.

In the coming months the national team will be a welcome distraction from their club affairs, now that the ticket to South Africa is as good as won.

In the busy months to come the main focus can be on their clubs.

"And that is pleasant, yes," says Robin van Persie.

"Especially because our prospects are good. Look at it any way you want, but winning three in a row is a great achievement. Especially when two of them were away games."

Van Persie, Ryan Babel, André Ooijer, Dirk Kuyt and Edwin van der Sar flew back to England in a private jet on Wednesday evening, thus gaining an extra day while preparing for the coming weekend in the Premier League.

In November Holland play a friendly against Sweden and against Tunisia in February, but these games are mainly for not losing momentum.

At the moment there is hardly any pressure around the team.

It means manager Bert van Marwijk can give his important players some breathing room and perhaps try out some new things.

Because where there are no complaints about the results, the quality of the play was not yet to everyone's liking.

Oranje were struggling with themselves and played very sloppy against Norway.

Okay, the team never got into any real trouble, but the entertainment value of Norway-Holland was low.

"But don't forget that these type of games are tough for every country. I think we can be satisfied with our achievements," Van Persie thinks.

Van Bommel thought the play was okay until they reached the last 20% of the pitch. "After that we did very little. But we never got into any real trouble."

The man from Limburg is happy about his first three games for Holland since his return to the national team.

"After the game someone said to me: you have returned silently. I thought that was good to hear. It's great to be back. The level during training, the atmosphere in the group; I really enjoy that."

Van Bommel didn't just play some decent matches, he was also important with an assist against Macedonia and a goal against Norway.

"Well, that is just nice, but not the most important thing. My primary task is to maintain control over the midfield, to make sure the guys up front get the chance to decide the game. So far that has been going reasonably well. That gives me an even better feeling than scoring a goal."

Robin van Persie wasn't surprised about his place on the bench, after he returned from an injury (hamstring).

"It was agreed upon with the manager. We both figured it would be unwise to take any risks."

With Van Marwijk in charge the Arsenal player is mainly played on the right wing.

"And that is just fine," Van Persie says.

"I shall play where the manager needs me. It's a tough enough job as it is for him, with so many players competing for a spot. Every player wants to play for his country, so the last thing I want to do is refuse to play in a certain position."