Van Bommel: "It can explode again just like that"
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Mark van Bommel has
been Holland's most valuable player so far this World
Cup, but the midfielder says it's not about individuals.
"One for all, all for one".
Van Bommel is reasonably
happy with the way things have been going so far. "The
most important thing is that we have made it to the
quarterfinal. Let's be honest, we could have made it
2-0 or 3-0. In the second half Maarten Stekelenburg
saves us a few times. But it's not just any pub team
we're playing here. It doesn't have to be more stylish
against Brazil. As long as we win it."
Arsenal manager Arsène
Wenger has said that there's plenty of good players
at this World Cup, but there's too a good team than
just that. Van Bommel agrees. "Of course that is
true. And in terms of team building we are okay. We've
been playing this way for two years now. The substitutes
also know what is expected of them when they come on.
The level at during training is extremely high, and
it has been for a long time now. The level is higher
than it is at Bayern. Okay these first three games weren't
all that sparkling. But what do you want? Does it matter
whether you go out with good or bad football? Would
the feeling be better had we played great football in
the first three games and then get eliminated? Not with
me it wouldn't. When we play seven dreadful games and
win the Cup, everyone will be cheering, the pundits
as well. Coaches of our opponents have clearly indicated
how hard it is to play against us. That has value as
well. And besides we have shown in the past what we
can do. It can explode again just like that."
The way Van bommel
talks about the team underlines just how focussed the
team is on more than just a place in the semifinal.
"That's the main
feeling. From day one we've been occupied with the Cup.
Frank de Boer (assistant to Bert van Marwijk, df) said
so after our first game after Euro 2008, against Russia;
that we should be focussing on the World Cup final straight
away. When you keep emphasizing that and keep playing
better and you keep winning, than the feeling that you
are working towards something is getting stronger. That's
how it is now. There's nothing to celebrate. We want
to win that Cup. We're in a tunnel and we don't know
where it ends. What we do know is that we are very strong.
That's good."
Van Bommel made his
debut for Holland ten years ago. "But this is the
best team I have played in so far. Perhaps not the team
with the most talent but it has been the team that plays
best."
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