VDV unhappy with substitution

Dutch midfielder questions role in team

By Gerrit van Leeuwen   Last updated: 8th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

VDV unhappy with substitution

Van der Vaart: Unhappy with sub

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Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart has admitted he is becoming "despondent" with his role in the national team.

The 27-year-old failed to make the starting line-up for the World Cup runners-up's opening Euro 2012 qualifying game against San Marino, and played just over an hour in their 2-1 win over Finland on Tuesday.

The midfielder, who joined Tottenham on transfer deadline day, has been competing for a role in central midfield with Inter Milan star Wesley Sneijder, which has led to an apparent tension between the two.

Van der Vaart was used in an unfamiliar left-wing role in the Finland victory, and appeared to be saying something directed at manager Bert van Marwijk as he covered his mouth upon his substitution.

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."

Predictable

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."

Despite his frustration at being taken off, the former Ajax and Real Madrid playmaker believed Van Marwijk did rate him as a player.

"I know he has great confidence in me, he's said so often enough. But with the regularity of the substitutions, obviously as a player I'm going to become unhappy," he added.