Dutch team mates hail keeper Van der Sar

FREIBURG, Germany, June 12 (Reuters) Goalkeeper Edwin van Sar's contribution to the Dutch World Cup cause could not be appreciated more by his team mates.

Van der Sar has gone 976 minutes without conceding a goal in a World Cup, European championship or qualifying match.

''Edwin is a complete goalkeeper and maybe one of the best in the world,'' central defender Andre Ooijer told Reuters. ''He is not only good on the line and in his area but also knows how to handle the ball in other situations.

''In our style of pressurising opponents, he plays a big role as he has the ideal overview and knows exactly what is possible.'' Van der Sar won his 110th cap in their opening 1-0 World Cup win over Serbia&Montenegro yesterday, moving within two of Frank de Boer's Dutch record.

It was their 10th successive clean sheet in competitive matches, extending the European record already held by Netherlands.

Defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst explained how comforting it was to play in front of the experienced keeper.

''Edwin has improved in recent years and has proved he is one of the best, saving us from defeat more than once, said Van Bronckhorst.

The Dutch take on Ivory Coast on Friday before ending their Group C campaign against Argentina five days later.

Reuters PDS GC2041