Darren Fletcher Captains Scotland Against Norway For World cup Qualifier

Manchester United fans will be keeping an eye out for Darren Fletcher and Scotland as the World Cup qualifiers are played today. This is the fourth time he has captained his country and remember, the other three were during that remarkable run of games when they all but qualified for Euro 2008 beating some big names on the way !!

Fletcher can draw on some of the experience he has gained playing with some big names at Manchester United. However, the 24-year-old is also determined to make his own mark as he attempts to take the Scots another step closer to South Africa.

Fletcher told Sky Sports: "There are a number of experienced players at our club and in the international team as well - but especially at the club because you are with them day in day out. We've got a lot of experienced players who have won a lot of things and you learn different things from different types of characters. But I'll be my own man and I'll enjoy it on Saturday. I'll go out there and give it my best and get the team up for the game and try to lead by example. If anything goes wrong on the pitch, sometimes you have to take responsibility and maybe change something. It's hard sometimes, the manager can obviously change things but, as a captain, if you see something going wrong then, on the pitch, you have to take that responsibility."

Being captain does bring some pressure with it but Fletcher is used to pressure having played at Manchester United for a number of years now.

"Maybe people do expect more but it's not a problem to me, it will give me a challenge to raise my game and answer those calls. It's something I look forward to. Playing for Manchester United, sometimes these expectations do come but you have to deal with that every week at Manchester United and it's no different with Scotland. The Scotland fans expect a lot from us and rightly so because we have been progressing over the last couple of years and we're looking to get to the next stage, which is qualifying for a major competition. The fans, the squad, the manager all want that to happen."

Scotland collected three points from their first two Group 9 games after following up a defeat to Macedonia with a victory over Iceland, and Fletcher is targeting three points against Norway.

"They are all massive games, they are all must-wins, if we don't win the game, the group is not over and there is still a lot to play for. But we want to win every game we play in and it's no different on Saturday against Norway. We will have a full Hampden and all the boys are thinking about one thing: winning the match.".....Back To Home Page

Van der Sar Insists After Norway Game "It Really Is All Over"

Holland goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has reiterated that his decision to come out of international retirement is a 'one-off'. The Manchester United player had called an end to representing his nation following their quarter-final exit at Euro 2008.

However, with Holland suffering a major crisis with injuries to both their first and second keeper, Van der Sar answered manager Bert van Marwijk's call for help.

At the age of 37 Van der Sar, who has 128 caps to his name, is now poised to represent The Netherlands in their back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Iceland and Norway.

He said on Uefa.com: "It was hard to say no. I have been part of this team for a long time. I have always had a sense of responsibility. I do not only think about my own interest, but always have an eye on the team's interest. I was surprised. I had not expected to be back, though I did not want to desert the team. But that does not mean I will do the same again next time. Bert said it would be a one-off. Two matches, and that's it. After Norway it really is over."

Well, until they have another crisis I think. He's too kind for his own good I think. If you make a decision it's much better to stick to it. Having said that, showing allegiance to your country like he has is a good thing.....Back To Home Page

Van Der Sar Answers Dutch Call For Help

The KNVB (Dutch FA) had a slight technical hitchfor their upcoming games against Iceland and Norway in the World Cup qualifiers, no goalkeeper available. I guess they didn't fancy the prospect of Klaas Van Huntelaar or Ruud van Nistelrooy guarding their goal. So they approached Edwin van der Sar who quit international football after last summers European Championships in Austria/Switzerland.

The new number one choice Maarten Stekelenburg has picked up a shoulder injury which has left coach Bert van Marwijk with few options. Now van der Saar has agreed to come back for the qualifiers against Iceland and Norway. Utrecht goalkeeper Michael Vorm has also been called up with Henk Timmer of Feyenoord also a doubt - meaning van der Sar is likely to play and add to his 128 cap tally.

Along with Vorm, PSV Eindhoven's Dirk Marcellis has also received his first call-up to the senior set-up. Along with van der Sar there are a further five British-based players included in the shape of Andre Ooijer, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Robin van Persie and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink.