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Van der Sar signs off on a low note

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-30 07:54

Edwin van der Sar admitted Barcelona had ruined his final fling as the Manchester United goalkeeper's last match before retirement ended in a 3-1 defeat in the Champions League final.

Van der Sar announced earlier this season that he would hang up his gloves at the end of the campaign and he was forced to bow out on a low note as Barca tore United to shreds at Wembley.

The 40-year-old Dutchman's last career memory will be a bitter one as he was beaten three times by fine finishes from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa.

"I played one game too many I think, it is not nice to lose of course. They had the better chances and we made one or two mistakes and they punish you," Van der Sar said.

"It was disappointing but that's life. It would have been better to go out on a win.

"I'm all right, not emotional. This is the right time for me and I'm ok with it."

Van der Sar felt Messi's goal nine minutes into the second half was the turning point as it left United chasing the game against superior opponents.

"It took 20 minutes for them to get in the game and then after our equalizer and going in level at halftime you hope the game is still open, but we didn't start well and we conceded another goal," Van der Sar said.

"It turned in their favour. You can stop them, they have lost this season, but they have excellent players and it didn't happen tonight."

Van der Sar was criticized for his positioning and reactions as he dived late to try to stop Messi's long-range strike, but the veteran insisted he did nothing wrong.

"I thought I was positioned well," he said. "He tends to curl it into the far post but he didn't."

After a superb career with Ajax, Juventus, Fulham and United, Van der Sar plans to take some time away from the game.

He will relax with his family for a while and then return to England to do his coaching badges, but he has no doubts that it will be hard to get used to life without the thrill of playing.

AFP

(China Daily 05/30/2011 page23)