Source: Team_Talk
Van der Vaart wants Oranje start
Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart is desperate to play in Tuesday's Euro 2012 qualifier with Finland and in every match the Oranje play.[LNB] Tottenham's new signing was a substitute, coming on at half-time to replace Nigel de Jong, as Bert van Marwijk's men opened their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a 5-0 win at San Marino, a situation he hopes will not be repeated against the Finns at De Kuip in Rotterdam.[LNB]"Of course it's always hard when I don't start for the Oranje, even against San Marino," he told www.ad.nl. "I want to play against moderate opposition just like in any other match.[LNB]"But I'm not going to let my head drop. In such situations, you learn to deal with it.[LNB]"It doesn't help the guys if I'm not prepared."[LNB]Van der Vaart accepts Van Marwijk's preference for starting with De Jong and Mark van Bommel means he faces a challenge to prove he is worthy of a starting place.[LNB]"The coach often opts for two more defensive players," he said. "That is his choice.[LNB]"Maybe that's where I will play.[LNB]"Of course it's annoying when you're on the bench. As a footballer you always want to play."[LNB]The star of the show on Friday was Klaas Jan Huntelaar, who scored a hat-trick, while there were also goals from Dirk Kuyt and the returning Ruud van Nistelrooy.[LNB]The Hamburg striker came from the bench to score his 34th goal for his country, having been out of the international picture for two years.[LNB]He is now six behind Patrick Kluivert's record of 40 goals for Holland.[LNB]Finland got of to woeful start as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat in Moldova.[LNB]Sami Hyypia was sent off in that match so misses out on Tuesday night, a fact which is a big disappointment for Kuyt, his former Liverpool team-mate.[LNB]"I'm very sorry," he told De Telegraaf. "He's a very good friend and colleague.[LNB]"I've learnt a lot from Sami and would have liked to play against him.[LNB]"It's a bi blow for the Finns."
