International Career
Shortly after making his league debuts with Ajax, Maduro gained his first cap for the Netherlands on 26 March 2005, in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Romania. He was picked for the final squad-of-23 by national team manager Marco van Basten (also his coach in Ajax's youth system), appearing four minutes in the 0–0 group stage draw against Argentina, in an eventual round of 16 exit.
In 2007, despite already having amassed 12 senior caps, Maduro took part in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship which was held in the Netherlands, and scored the competition's first goal when the Jong Oranje beat Israel 1–0. He also played in the second match, a 2–1 win against Portugal which secured a semifinal spot and qualification to the Olympic tournament.
In the semifinals against England (1–1 after 120 minutes), Maduro successfully converted his penalty shootout attempt, as Holland won it 13–12 after 32 shots. The Dutch went on to retain their 2006 title by beating Serbia 4–1 in the final, and he was named in the 'UEFA Team of the Tournament'.
Read more about this topic: Hedwiges Maduro
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“He was at a starting point which makes many a man’s career a fine subject for betting, if there were any gentlemen given to that amusement who could appreciate the complicated probabilities of an arduous purpose, with all the possible thwartings and furtherings of circumstance, all the niceties of inward balance, by which a man swings and makes his point or else is carried headlong.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)