Holland defender Gregory van der Wiel has spent the past week yoyo-ing across the Atlantic, zooming through four different time zones. With Dutch champions Ajax, he played two successful and lucrative matches in Washington (-6 hours CET) and Portland (-3), then flew back to Amsterdam (+9) to join the national team as it boarded for Rio (-5).

With a prestigious match against Brazil slated for Saturday, there’s little opportunity to reset his biological clock. But Van der Wiel says he’s fit to play, but not necessarily the full 90 minutes. And he’s looking forward to meeting his idol, Dani Alves.

RNW: “I saw you did some extra stretching exercises at the end of your first training session in Rio. How are you feeling?”

Van der Wiel: “Yes, that’s what I always do, just to stabilise my body. I feel alright actually. Little tired this morning and in the afternoon, but after a short rest, I feel OK now.”

RNW: “The scenery must give you a boost too…”

Van der Wiel: “Yes, it’s good to be here in Rio. Never been here before and I would have hated to miss this trip for the world. I’m enjoying every minute here.”

RNW: “Are you looking forward to the upcoming double-header here in Latin America too?”

Van der Wiel: “Sure, these aren’t the sort of matches you play on a weekly basis. These are wonderful opponents for every football player. Yes, I’m really looking forward to playing them.”

RNW: “You were quoted recently as saying that you’re a great admirer of Barcelona’s Brazilain defender Dani Alves…”

Van der Wiel: “Yes, he’s the world’s best right-back in my view, he’s very agile and pro-active. I watch virtually every Barcelona match and I pay special attention to Alves. He plays the type of football I like to play too: giving assists, setting up quick combinations…”

RNW: “Now, you’re going to play against him. There’s a lot at stake for Brazil, who are preparing for next month’s Copa América and might want to take revenge for last year’s defeat against Holland at the World Cup. What kind of match do you expect?”

Van der Wiel: “I expect a very hungry Brazil. Don’t forget they’re playing at home, that plays a big role too. They’ll certainly won’t like to see us victorious.”

RNW: “And will you be fit to play the entire match?”

Van der Wiel: “Hm, we’ll see whether that would be wise. I’ll discuss that with the manager. Let’s see how minutes I’ll be able to play.”

RNW: “Isn’t it all a bit much for you? This will be the third year in succession for you without a proper break…”

Van der Wiel: “Don’t worry, I’ll be alright. The Ajax manager has given me three to four weeks to recover after this trip. So, that’s all been arranged.”

RNW: “Final question: quite a few key Holland players have called off with injuries. What kind of impact will that have on Saturday’s Brazil match?”

Van der Wiel: “Yes, of course, these are great players. But then again, I think we still have a very strong team left, and that’s its one of our main assets, that everyone of us is able to take up the positions that are left open. So, I don’t think we’ll be any weaker.”

-- Transcription of an interview in Dutch --