体坛英语新闻：Sneijder ready to be at his best again in Asia

HOENDERLOO, The Netherlands, May 30 (Xinhua) -- The Dutch team started its preparation for the forthcoming friendlies against Indonesia and China with captain Wesley Sneijder, ready to leave a turbulent year behind him, he told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

The Netherlands set up its training camp in the woods of Hoenderloo to prepare for the matches against Indonesia on June 7 and against China on June 11 in Beijing.

"I am looking forward to it and with me all the others," Sneijder told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. "It's a beautiful experience. You don't visit these countries too often normally. If you can combine the visit with a trip like this, that is a bonus. And for me certainly from the sporting perspective, it's a challenge. Since I have not been at the Dutch team too often recently, I like to play football again. I'm happy to go there."

For Sneijder it will not be his first visit to China. In August 2011 he played the Italian Super Cup with Inter against AC Milan, scoring one goal but losing 2-1.

"That was a nice experience in Beijing," he said. "I know the city a bit now, we have been there for a week. The atmosphere in the stadium and around the stadium was perfect. I think we are going to experience something like that again. It's nice to take that with me in my career."

Sneijder must admit he does not know a lot of the forthcoming opponent, or about Chinese football in general. "Very little, but in the next few days we can prepare ourselves. We still have time. First we have to go elsewhere, to Indonesia."

The European Under 21 Championships will also be played in June and twelve regular players of the first Dutch team will be active at that tournament in Israel. For that reason the choices of head coach Louis van Gaal were limited and he called up four debutants. However, with one year remaining before the World Cup the battle for a place in the squad has started and lack of motivation will be no issue.

"Many players are missing because they play at the European Championship with the Under 21 team," Sneijder explained. "That is more important than this trip, that is clear. So those guys are missing, but still all the other guys that are here, that are available, will go to China and Indonesia. We will be going there with a good team."

"We will work hard towards the World Cup," he added. "That is the main goal, but there is still one season remaining, a lot can happen in between. The current team certainly took some steps in recent months. This is positive for Dutch football and positive for this team. With the World Cup in sight something beautiful is about to arrive."

The results of the Dutch team so far are outstanding with the top spot in World Cup qualification Group D, with eighteen points from six matches. With many young new faces the team is not like the team that finished second at the World Cup 2010 again, although star players like Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Sneijder are the same. Contrary to his predecessor Bert van Marwijk Van Gaal lets the team play in a more attacking style with three forwards.

"This situation is not really comparable to 2010," said Sneijder. "In terms of playing style it is also different. We will be able to grow to have a chance of winning the World title, like many others. We need to have that confidence and show that confidence. If you look at the most recent matches in the qualifying campaign, we are well on our way."

Sneijder debuted in the Dutch team on April 30, 2003 against Portugal (1-1), 10 years ago. After the arrival of Van Gaal last year the 91-times international was appointed captain. The Dutch coach considered the 28-year-old midfielder as the leader of his team. "That absolutely made me proud," Sneijder said.

"Ten years ago it was my dream to play for 'Oranje' and 10 years later I am the captain. If you are captain of your country, that makes you very proud and I realize that every day."

Although Sneijder was appointed as captain, he only wore the armband four times under Van Gaal. He lost his place at Inter in the first half of the past season and therefore he was also not selected for the Dutch team. After his move to Turkish champions Galatasaray in January Sneijder returned. He recently suffered from a groin injury, but he is fit again and ready to leave behind this minor period in his career. Sneijder has not been afraid to lose the captaincy due to his lack of playing time in Italy.

"The situation at Inter has fortunately ended," the Dutch captain said. "I was not afraid, because I did not allow that thought in my mind. I just wanted to make a new step and I wanted to play at a new team. I've always said that I wanted to take a step upwards and I proved right. I am playing again, except for the last two weeks, but I actually took rest to prepare for this trip. I am well aware that I have to work hard, but this applies not only for me but for everyone. Now we are at the end of the season, then we will have holidays and then we start preparing for the new season. I focus on that. With of course a fantastic World Cup in sight."

Sneijder wants to return to his top level, the level he reached in the 2009/2010 season for instance, when he captured the Italian title, the Italian Cup and the Champions League with Inter and led the Netherlands to the World Cup final.

"I just want to go back to my former level, not only like in 2009/2010," he concluded. "To be one hundred percent fit and to play one hundred percent of the matches. I certainly realize that and I will be in top shape."