Van Bommel set on stopping Spain

Watches this Van Bommel set on stopping Spain

Think back to a friendly against England at White Hart Lane in 2001 and the opening goal of a 2-0 win that Van Bommel scored. It was a truly stunning strike from 35 yards and hinted at a player with a high technical ability.

He retired from international football in September 2006 when Marco van Basten was in charge but returned after a two-year absence following the appointment of Van Marwijk.

Van Bommel now finds himself one victory from becoming a World Cup winner and I expect him to do everything possible to try to shut down the Spanish midfield on Sunday.

However, against the backdrop of so many column inches about the supposedly easy ride he has been given by referees, it will be interesting to watch the approach of Howard Webb at Soccer City.

The Rotherham-born official is the first Englishman to take charge of a World Cup final since Jack Taylor in 1974. He has not stood for any on-field nonsense in South Africa and has made his approach very clear early in the games he has refereed.

Taylor awarded a penalty to the Netherlands after just two minutes of the 1974 final in Munich after a foul on Johann Cruyff by Uli Hoeness. Johan Neeskens scored but the gifted Dutch side that had been coach by Rinus Michels went on to lose 2-1.

They also lost the 1978 final as well and have waited 32 years for their third attempt to lift the trophy that their contribution to the global game surely deserves.

coppied by bbc