The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: Van der Sar wants to go out on top

Manchester United's goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar. - AP

MANCHESTER, England (AP)

Manchester United goalkeeperEdwin Van der Sar considers himself one of the last true European champions, regardless of tomorrow's Champions League final.

The match against Chelsea combined with playing for the Netherlands at the European Championship could be the start of his farewell.

"I'm going to play one or two more years, so my opportunities are running out," Van der Sar said. "I might as well take this chance."

Van der Sar won the 1995 Champions League title with Ajax when entry was restricted to domestic league champions.

Different competition now

"It is a different competition now," the goalkeeper said. "At that time, only the champions could come in. Nowadays, you get four from one country, that is how you get three in the semi-final.

"That can be strange sometimes. Maybe I liked it better when only the champions could enter."

As memories of the victory over AC Milan were replaced by defeat in the next final against Juventus, Van der Sar saw his opportunities for further glory fading.

He left his homeland in 1999 to spend two years at Juventus before moving to the Premier League.

"When I signed for Fulham, I probably did think I would not be involved in matches like this," he said before flying to Moscow. "I went to watch Chelsea in the Champions League a couple of times and on one occasion in particular, I looked at Oliver Kahn doing his warm-up and thought, 'I used to be doing that'.

"Believing I would have the opportunity of experiencing it again was something that never went away but at Fulham, I knew it would be very difficult."

Safe pair of hands

In 2005, United manager Alex Ferguson was in need of a safe pair of hands and, even at 34, Van der Sar fit the bill.

"You hope that you get the chance and that someone will give you the opportunity to do it again - at Fulham, that was going to be difficult," Van der Sar said. "Getting the move always depends on the opportunity. Is there a big team looking for a goalkeeper? Is your age a problem? Do they think you're not good enough any more?

"Someone has to make the decision for you, that you are the perfect player for their side. That's why I'm grateful to Sir Alex Ferguson for giving me the chance."