For the Manchester United custodian Edwin van der Sar, his side’s triumph in the UEFA Champions League this season is nothing new. The 37-year old former Dutch international goalkeeper had tasted European Cup triumph with Dutch giants AFC Ajax way back in 1995 but has delineated this year’s win as sweeter.
The final in Moscow on Wednesday went to penalties after it ended 1-1 after extra-time. Van der Sar saved the decisive penalty from Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka and made himself a hero to the Old Trafford fanatics.
After the match, Edwin van der Sar said:
“We didn’t really want penalties, but when the moment comes you know you can be a hero. It’s one of the benefits of having a long career.
I won this final in ‘95 with, but on the other side I’ve lost a couple [of shoot-outs] as well, so I know it’s hard. When I lost the Champions League final in ‘96 I was heartbroken and didn’t leave the house for three days. So it’s good this has gone my way.
“It’s always nice to win, but to win it sort of yourself Van Breukelen won it in ‘88 with PSV Eindhoven against Benfica. He saved the last penalty and I strived my whole career to get a decisive moment. And to have that final moment to win the game is fantastic.”
And the Manchester United custodian goes a street further to say that Europe should prepare for more such Man United assaults:
“I’m grateful to have had that opportunity from Ferguson at 34 to come here to United. Sometimes I wonder why it didn’t happen sooner, but never mind. I’ve got two [Premiership] titles and the Champions League tonight and we’re not finished yet.
“We were a little bit lucky with Terry’s slip, although you could say the goal we conceded was an easy one. The ball changed direction and I slipped, said the most capped Dutch footballer ever. It’s our luck that he slipped, otherwise it would have been all over and someone else would be sitting here. Life and football can change on small things. Penalties are all about the quality of strikes and you just have to hope that you save one.”
Europe, take notice: here come Manchester United and Edwin van der Sar.