Internationals

Special Red Card For Stekelenburg

Maarten Stekelenburg was sent off in yesterday’s friendly match against Australia after fouling Josh Kennedy. The red card was the first one for a goalkeeper in the history of the Oranje.

Sep 7, 2008 3:29:15 PM

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Maarten Stekelenburg, Ajax (foto ANP)

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He won’t be very proud about it, but Stekelenburg’s red card for Holland against Australia yesterday was a special one. Never before was an Oranje goalkeeper sent off in an international match.

The red card won’t prevent him from playing in the qualifier against Macedonia on Wednesday. The suspension he’ll receive only counts for friendly matches.

The Ajax 'keeper acknowledged that the red card was deserved. “I tried my utmost to beat him [Kennedy] to the ball, but he was quicker and I touched him. Otherwise, it would have been a goal, too,” he explained.

“I was hoping to be lucky and receive only yellow, since it was just a friendly match. However, the red card was fully deserved according to the rules.”

Atletico defender John Heitinga didn’t hesitate to take the blame for the red card, “Of course I feel guilty, it was my fault that Maarten [Stekelenburg] had to leave the pitch,” he admitted.

Stefan Coerts