FIFA World Cup 2010: Dirk Kuyt reveals his dream
Dirk Kuyt started on the right wing for the Dutch in their quarter final tie against Brazil. The Dutch who were underdogs before the match, made a remarkable comeback after going a goal down in the first half. The oranje comeback which gathered pace in the second half of the match was decorated with two goals by Wesley Sneijder and assisted by a moment of madness by Felipe Melo when he stomped on Robben’s hamstring.
Kuyt who is 29 right now and is most probably playing in his last FIFA World Cup for the Netherlands, exposed his ultimate dream which is to play in the World Cup final for Netherlands. Netherlands reached their last World Cup final in the 1978 World Cup where they lost to Argentina.
Before that the “Oranje” army reached the World Cup final when they were being led by the talented Johan Cruyff in the year 1974. In that final, Holland lost to Beckenbauer’s Germany. Holland can again very well face Germany in the FIFA World Cup final of 2010 should the Germans defeat Spain in the semi-finals.
On the other hand Holland takes on Uruguay who knocked out Ghana after a penalty shootout in their quarter final match.
Dirk Kuyt who earns his place in the starting eleven consistently because of his work ethic and defensive awareness while being a potent attacking threat as well told the press that Netherlands are very happy to be so close to the final.
He added that this is something that the team has dreamt about their whole life and now they have to be careful because of the expectations that are associated with their performances at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
He also said that Holland will haveto play as a team in the semi-finals because it will be the hardest match that will ever play. He also stated that this semi-final match is a fantastic opportunity.
Kuyt who plays his club football in England with Liverpool came to the World Cup after a disappointing season with the Merseyside club. Kuyt earned his reputation as a goal scorer during his time at Feyenoord where he netted 71 goals in 101 appearances. He has scored a total number of 16 goals for Netherlands in 66 international matches.
Kuyt was unsure about his club future because Rafael Benitez, the ex-Liverpool manager recently left the club for the Italian giants and European Champions Inter Milan. However, Roy Hodgson’s appointment as the new Liverpool manager brings joy to the Dutch player who says that “it is good that everything has been sorted out”. He also said that he has not been in contact with the manager ever since he took over at Liverpool because he has been focusing on Holland’s semi final clash against Uruguay.
Holland have been regarded as perennial under achievers at the International stage because of their constant failures to win any international football competitions. Last time Holland reached the World Cup final was twelve years ago in the FIFA World Cup held in France, where they lost to the eventual winners Brazil on penalties. During that unfortunate penalty shootout, two Dutch players failed to convert their penalties while all the Brazilian penalty takers were successful from the spot.
Holland’s record in penalty shootouts is not impressive to say the least. Coming into the semi-final against Uruguay the Dutch are the favorites to win but it is a very real possibility that the match might be dragged towards a penalty shootout. If it comes to that the Dutch will be second favorites as Uruguay were impressive in their shootout win over Ghana as they converted 4 of their 5 total penalties.
If the Dutch do manage to win the match and progress to the finals of the World Cup, it will be their first finals appearance in the last 32 years of international football.
Tags: