Edwin van der Sar insists he will not be tempted out of international retirement for a second time.
Goalkeeper slips back into retirement
Edwin van der Sar insists he will not be tempted out of international retirement for a second time.
The Manchester United keeper answered an SOS call from Holland boss Bert van Marwijk for his country's recent World Cup qualifying double-header with Iceland and Norway.
The veteran shot-stopper helped the Dutch claim back-to-back victories, cementing their place at the top of Group 9.
While the 38-year-old, who announced his initial retirement at the end of Euro 2008, admits he was happy to be back in the fold, he confirmed Wednesday's 1-0 win over Norway would be his last international appearance.
"I'm happy with this farewell," he said.
"I knew this would be the last time, so I wanted to finish on a better note than when we lost to Russia at Euro 2008. That has been achieved."
Fortunate
Van der Sar did admit, though, that his Holland career may not have ended on such a positive note had a clumsy late challenge seen a penalty awarded against him.
"The referee could have given Norway a penalty," he admitted.
"I hit the Norwegian player with my knee."
Having taken maximum points from their opening three games the Dutch look well placed to book a place at the finals in South Africa,
Asked if he could be persuaded to join them, Van der Sar said: "Yes - as a tourist."
