Mark Schwarzer produced a world class goalkeeping performance at the Stadium of Light on Saturday as Fulham played out a goalless draw against Sunderland.
Schwarzer’s injury time save from Stephane Sessegnon’s deflected strike was a sight to behold and the Australian international was evidently delighted to have helped secure Fulham a Barclays Premier League point from a tough away fixture.
“It’s a very difficult place to go to and it was a hard earned point,” Schwarzer told fulhamfc.com. “On Saturday we were very compact and defensively switched on.
“We were very dogged and we didn’t want to concede. There was more emphasis on that on Saturday and on another day we could have scored a goal or two.
“Saturday was one of those prime examples where we said we need to get back to being impossible to break down and make sure we get at least a point.”
Manager Martin was full of praise for Schwarzer during his post-match press conference on Saturday evening and Fulham’s goalkeeper was trypically modest in his reaction as he spoke of his desire to continue playing at the highest level for a good few years yet.
“It’s always nice when people speak highly of you,” said Schwarzer. “You just have to work hard and I’m enjoying my football as much as ever and I try to maximise every opportunity I get. The saying I use is ‘I’ll be a long time retired’, so I want to do the best job I can. There’s plenty of time to feel tired when you’re retired – now is the time to enjoy it.
“I realized a long time ago what a great life I have and you have to be realistic and realise how privileged we are to play football for a living, at this level on the Premier League. In my opinion it’s still the best league in the world.
“I look at Brad Freidel and he’s older than me so I’ll keep going as long as he’s going! He said to me he’s going to play for at least another two seasons so I’ve got at least that.
“I like to set myself targets and the 2014 World Cup is my goal without a doubt. So far on the international scene it’s going really well and we’ve qualified for the next stage. The manager for the national team is very supportive of me and wants me to continue to play. I love playing and want to continue for as long as possible as long as the performances are there.”