Andre Ooijer doesn’t want a break

For the first time under Van Marwijk, Ooijer didn’t play an international for Holland. He decided to let the Japan game go. He didn’t do it because he needed a break, but because of a slight injury. “The program can’t be too full for me. I want to play every week.”

The season is long and Ooijer isn’t the youngest anymore. Why not a break? “Cut it out! If I’d think like that, I might as well retire. I’m fit and I want to play ball. Period.”

Ooijer won’t pace down. “I give 100% every game. And I’m not twenty anymore, I know, but it’s still going pretty good. I don’t think about my age. Others can do that.”

Last season, the Ajax-developed defender proved he can still cut it. After a tough season with Blackburn Robers, he even played with Oranje against Norway and scored. “That was a good finish. I certainly wasn’t limited by the heavy season.”

He started in Oranje in the last 12 games. But he wasn’t present last Saturday. He’d told Van Marwijk the day before the game that he could play against Scotland. “I am convinced I’m back. Although it’s actually to early to call. I’ve only trained once, but I’m optimistic.”

How did you experience the game on the stands. “Weird. Your gut tells you you need to play. But other than that, I watched it as any other fan. It was cool to see Oranje win. I didn’t criticize the team, no. Why would I? There’s many others doing that already.”

Holland closes it’s qualification series against Scotland in Glasgow, although the WC ticket is already in Zeist. “But still you want to play it and win it. Even if it’s only to demonstrate to the coach you’re keen to play. Everyone wants to secure his spot.”

The last time Oranje played Scotland in Glasgow, the team lost, 1-0. Ooijer played in the back with Stam, De Boer and Gio van Bronckhorst. The latter will play Wednesday as well. Of all other players present today, only Van der Vaart made an appearance in the second half. The other players never played an international in Glasgow.

“The vibe there is unique. Everyone is looking forward to it. Playing for your country might even mean more to them than it does to us. The fans there make it bigger than life. And that’s cool, also for us. We’ll try to silence them.”

At home, Oranje settled things winning 6-0. Ooijer scored one of the goals.

Oranje will end the series with eight wins in eight games, the maximum score. “That’s our goal. We are really serious about that. It would be a tremendous result and it might mean we’ll go into the draw as group leader. There’s more than enough reasons to give it our all.”