Much consideration for disappointed Sneijder

Monday 30 March 2009

Now that the tension in Holland' World Cup qualification Group 9 is gone it's all about team building.

And all eyes in the team are on Wesley Sneijder.

While fans with carrots on their heads are celebrating the victory over Scotland in the stands, Wesley Sneijder was already in the shower.

He walked off the pitch quickly on Saturday, visibly annoyed, despite the 3-0 victory.

Sneijder's anger drew a lot of attention, especially after a week in which emphasis in the team had been on acceptance and team spirit.

A long time before Saturday's kickoff coach Bert van Marwijk made it clear he would have to make some hard choices considering the many forwards in his team.

Disappointment and anger seemed inevitable, but above all nothing should harm the team's cohesion.

So it was interesting to see how both Van Marwijk and the players stood up for Sneijder.

They all opted for support and understanding, like it had been agreed that way.

"Everyone is allowed to express his disappointment," said Dirk Kuyt.

"I can understand that he is pissed off," said Mark van Bommmel.

The fact that Sneijder has gone through a difficult period both in football and privately added to that atmosphere of consideration.

Especially Sneijder was eager to play well, 5½ years after his memorable international breakthrough against Scotland.

His sometimes explosive character did the rest as few players are as driven and ambitious as the man from Utrecht.

The main question thus remains to what extend Sneijder is able to let go of his chagrin on the way to Wednesday's game against Macedonia.

"I'll be angry and disappointed when I don't play, but after a day that should be over," Sneijder said last week about a possible place on the bench.

"I think I can deal with it."

He now has the chance to prove he can.

"As long as you don't disrupt the group process it's not a problem," Arjen Robben said on Saturday.

"Then you can be angry. I would have been had I been in Wesley's position."

These are rewarding days for bondscoach Van Marwijk.

Now that the team are as good as qualified he can start working on the team, with all complications involved.

By opting for Robben, Van Persie, Kuyt and Huntelaar against Scotland he added a new vigor to his team.

Sneijder's role brought a reaction that gave new insights on the way to South Africa.

The coach himself gained new respect among his players as he didn't opt for the easiest way.

A team player like Dirk Kuyt would have taken place on the bench without a single bit of resistance, but Van Marwijk put more weight on form and tactics.

"Van Persie and Kuyt have been doing well for their clubs in recent weeks. I was going to start them anyway," Van Marwijk said about his choices.

"The choice was between Sneijder and Robben on the left."

The latter ensured that Holland had plenty of depth and that was something that would surely cause the weakened Scots problems.

It actually turned out that way.

Against very defensive opposition Robben caused most danger against the 37-year-old right-back Graham Alexander of Burnley.

After 3 minutes Robben started the move that led to the first goal of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, by changing sides quickly.

Van Bommel then saw the space at the far post and delivered a pinpoint cross for Huntelaar.

The one goal basically decided the game as the Scots' best attributes were the amazing and well-spirited fans behind the goal.

Especially in midfield Scotland were of a questionable level.

Holland played anything but well, but never lost control over the midfield for a minute.

Van Persie's goal to make it 2-0 seemed only natural.

On the hour came Sneijder's turn, replacing Van Persie after the Arsenal forward had taken a knock to the head from the reckless Berra.

Sneijder did well, making good use of the increasing spaces in midfield.

Fifteen minutes from the end he played a perfect throughball for Huntelaar who was then knocked over by two Scottish defenders.

Kuyt converted the awarded spot kick and made it 3-0.

"A fine result," Mark van Bommel concluded.