Qualification looming…

The toughest test for Oranje awaits Saturday in Rumania, without Sneijder and Van Persie.

And the man who will be watched by all the spotlights wasn’t on the Oranje training session yesterday. Clarence Seedorf stayed behind in the hotel, taking care of his little pains, leftovers from the AC Milan match vs Lazio Roma.

The road for Seedorf seems open, now Sneijder and Van Persie are suspended. Since his return in Oranje, the midfielder was never given a real chance as the creative midfielder. Earlier this week, the CL’s best midfielder of last season said: “Whether or not I play shouldn’t be depending on Sneijder playing, yes or no.”

But, this Saturday will be decisive for Holland’s most successful club player ever. Will his much-discussed come-back shine or not? “I would really love it for him to happen,” says Robin van Persie. “I really wish him all the best and would love to see him shine, but it’s not my decision to make.”

“It’s weird not to be part of the group Saturday,” said Van Persie. “It sucks, because now, this is the big one. You could see this coming at the start of the qualification. The yellow card against Albania wasn’t a justified one. And it’s wrong that you are suspended after two yellows in a qualification series of two years. I’d say three yelows is more logical.”

If Holland beats Rumania and Slovenia, qualification for the EC will be very close. If competitor Bulgaria leaves point behind against Albania, Oranje could be certain of qualification. Much faster than most top nations.

“I’ll watch the match Saturday on the couch, at home. Like a real supporter,” says Van Persie again. “It’s strange, because I want to play. But I’ll train and get myself all ready for the Slovenia match.

The fierce criticism Oranje copped after the Albania match went straight past Van Persie. “I decided to bypass all that. Not that I can’t handle it, everyone is entitled to criticize me, no problems. And I try to do something with it, if I feel it’s justified. But, as long as I’m part of Oranje, there has been negativity. Apparently, that’s part of the game. But, if we win the next two games, I think we didn’t do so badly…”