Arjen Robben – Winning ugly against Spain is better than losing beautifully
Netherlands have never won the FIFA World Cup trophy, due to the fact that they have never been successful in the tournament’s final. This year, they have reached the last round of the competition, and they will be going for nothing but prestigious glory; which will add their name for the first time in history books as FIFA World Champions.
The current Netherlands team has not been as amusing as the two former sides that reached the final in history, according to a number of spectators; but still, they remain unbeaten in the contest. Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben is a potent contributor of the Holland army in South Africa, and being asked on his game against Spain and his country’s plan in the final, this is what he said:
“I would much prefer to win a very ugly match (against Spain in the final of 2010 World Cup), than losing a pretty one. We can still play great football, but we can always focus on our nice organization as well. If you are organized, you know that even one goal can be enough, which has been the case so far.
“What matters is that we are in the FIFA World Cup final. From now on, how you play no longer matters. Of course, the intent is there to play beautiful football, but the result is by far more valuable. We have heard enough of talk about how our football is beautiful, but it gets us nowhere. We want to achieve something (in the final against Spain).”
Referring to his relations with some players in the Spanish team, Robben – who formerly was a club mate of keeper Iker Casillas – was quick to put an accent on his determination. He continued:
“It is not important for me, I don’t need friends. I want to be a world champion."
Wesley Sneijder: “I’m not fully fit, but we won’t allow Spain to defeat us”
Superstar Wesley Sneijder, who presently joins David Villa in the race for the Top Scorer award with 5 goals, is not wholly healed from the injury he suffered before the start of the tournament. The superb midfielder has declared that pain was still hurting his body occasionally, but that this was certainly not an excuse to let Spain clinch the cup. The Netherlands won all their 2010 World Cup Qualification games in the UEFA zone, and in the finals, they so far have a 100% record with 6 vital wins out of 6.
“I do not think I have been at my best, since I am yet to escape the pains which feel me at some occasions,” said Sneijder. “It does not stop me from playing, but it would not be the truth if I told you that I was pain-free. I am getting better, but it is not great and I am just doing as much as I possibly can.
“We are a good team, and we won all our qualifying games. We have also been triumphant in all our World Cup matches in South Africa, and we are not going to allow Spain to defeat us.”
For more news on Wesley Sneijder and the rest of the Holland national football team in the 2010 World Cup final, read the related articles below. Also follow the Netherlands-Spain final live on Live Soccer TV for live commentary, up-to-date video highlights, live reports, and live statistics.
