25 July,2011 08:54 AM IST | | Ashwin Ferro
A year after losing the World Cup final to Spain, dutch star Rafael van der Vaart hasn't yet recoveredu00a0from the heartbreak
Rafael van der Vaart may not have happy memories of South Africa. His national side, the Netherlands, lost 0-1 to Spain in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final at the Soccer City Stadium here just about a year ago.
However, that didn't stop him from putting up a smashing performance against local outfit Orlando Pirates in the Vodacom Challenge final at Ellis Park here on Saturday.
Andres Iniesta (right) of Spain celebrates after scoring the winning goal
as Rafael Van der Vaart of the Netherlands looks on during the 2010 FIFA
World Cup final at Soccer City Stadium. PIC/Getty iMAGES
The 28-year-old attacking midfielder scored twice in Tottenham's 3-0 win over the African team.
The World Cup final defeat however still rankles, and probably more so because he was handed the captain's arm band during the game after Giovanni van Bronckhorst was substituted.
"That's a painful question," Van der Vaart shot back when asked to recall the final defeat to Spain on July 22 last year. "That loss in the final still hurts a bit. It's always special to win for your national team," said the stylish footballer who's played nearly a 100 internationals for the Netherlands.
On Saturday, Van der Vaart accurately swung one in off a set-piece to beat Pirates' custodian Senzo Meyiwa at the near post in the 35th minute.
As the sides switched ends, he scored again, this time in the 53rd minute when he failed to beat Meyiwa in his first attempt but latched on to the rebound that fell in his tracks and lobbed it over him and into the back of the net.
Thereafter, a Gareth Bale cross was met by the boot of Jermain Defoe for 3-0 in the 88th minute.
Van der Vaart, was literally an eleventh-hour signing for Tottenham when they made an 8-million pound offer for the Dutchman on the last day of last Summer's transfer window.
However, he's made an impact ever since, having already scored over a dozen goals, surpassing the number (12) he netted for previous club Real Madrid, where he spent two seasons.
EPL toughest league
Speaking of the difference in playing the Spanish La Liga and the English Premiership, Van der Vaart said: "The EPL is comparatively much faster, so I think it's definitely much tougher than the La Liga.
u00a0"Besides, in the Spanish League, you have just two top teams (Real Madrid & Barcelona) with the title being decided between them, whereas in the Premiership you have a number of tough teams at the top with all fighting for the title."
