Source: PA
Frustration for Van der Vaart
Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is becoming "despondent" at his treatment by coach Bert van Marwijk following his substitution during the win over Finland.
The 27-year-old was left on the bench for Friday's match against San Marino, having endured an unhappy World Cup in which he struggled to compete for his place with Wesley Sneijder, leading to apparent tension between the pair. And he played in the unfamiliar position of left wing on Tuesday night and was taken off after 64 minutes of the 2-1 victory.
The new Tottenham signing covered his mouth as he departed the pitch clearly an unhappy man. Asked if he was worried about lip-readers, he laughed: "Secretly, yes. I was swearing a bit, but not specifically for (Van Marwijk) to hear."
He continued on www.onsoranje.nl: "If you play well you don't think you'll be taken off. I'm getting a little despondent. The substitutions are predictable. It's my 84th match. I think sometimes I deserve to stay on. If I play badly, you can take me off after an hour. That's my own fault. But in this case I trained hard, kept my mouth shut, did my best, and I was still taken off.
"I gave everything. Also I was playing in a position which is not comfortable for me, I'm not a left winger. But I did well. I was involved in two goals, some good moves, and almost scored.
"I always try to be positive but I can't remember the last time I played 90 minutes. It makes me somewhat despondent. Maybe other people would not be angry, but that's how I feel at the moment."
