We did it for retiring goalkeeper Vogels: Dutch captain

Published Sat, Mar 13 10 07:27 PM

New Delhi, Mar 13 (PTI) The Netherlands captain Teun de Nooijer said his side''s World Cup bronze medal finish after defeating England 4-3 here was a tribute to their veteran goalkeeper Guus Vogels who retires from international hockey today. 34-year-old Vogels, acknowledged as one of the great goalkeepers in history, retired today after playing 264 international and 23 World Cup matches, and de Nooijer said his side had wanted to win the bronze for him after failing to reach the final. "We were disappointed not to have reached the final but we are happy that we won today for Guss (Vogels). All of us wanted to win the bronze for him. He is retiring after having a long and great career," Nooijer said after the match. "We are the world number three side and it is good that we won the bronze. We did not have a good World Cup in 2006 (by finishing seventh) and we won bronze here. We are happy," said 33-year-old Nooijer, who also played his last World Cup match today. Thrice FIH Player of the Year and with more than 400 international caps under his belt, Nooijer today equalled Pakistani Akhtar Rasool''s most medals in a World Cup by winning his fourth medal(one gold, one silver and two bronze). On his part, Vogels said he was happy to have been a part of the Dutch team for 14 years since making his debut in January 1996. (More) PTI PDS SHN

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